Jane Mlambo|A Bulawayo magistrate on Monday freed commuter omnibus driver David Ndlovu who had been arrested for insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Ndlovu was arrested on earlier this year for calling the Zanu PF leader a dog.
However, passing ruling on Monday, magistrate Gladmore Mushowe said prosecutors had failed prove their allegations.

The State alleging that the offence occurred when Ndlovu, of Sauurcetown in Bulawayo, met one Sibekezile Jele at Puma Service Station situated at corner Lobengula Street and 6th Avenue in the city.

Jele, a nurse aid at a local nursing home, approached a paraffin vendor only identified in court as Banda intending to buy the fuel.

When Jele complained that the paraffin was too expensive, Ndlovu allegedly interjected and said in isiNdebele “Wena hantsho wavota wathi ED pfee, sizibona ukuthi inja leyo izalenzani” (You voted for ED, we will see what that dog of yours is going to do for you).

However, magistrate Mushowe said the State failed to prove a prima facie case against the accused.

“The state failed to bring witnesses to corroborate what the complainant told the court,” he said.

“It is clear that there was no commotion or peace disturbances after the accused allegedly uttered those words.”

Ndlovu’s lawyer, Dixon Abraham from the Christian Legal Society, welcomed the ruling.
“I had always known that the State had no case,” he said.

“The State should not waste the court’s time by bringing petty squabbles before the courts.

“There are serious offences which are being committed every day which need urgent address and not these minor cases.”
-Newzimbabwe.com