Acquitted in case of violating Postal and Telecomm...

Acquitted in case of violating Postal and Telecommunications Act

Zim Now Writer

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has brought to an end the persecution of Edith Mupondi who has now been acquitted on charges of contravening section 88(b) of Postal and Telecommunications Act.

ZLHR lawyer Gift Mtisi successfully represented Mupondi during her prosecution resulting in magistrate Tafadzwa Miti acquitting her and ruling that her purpose in forwarding the alleged offensive message on a WhatsApp group was not intended to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety.

According to prosecutors Mupondi unlawfully used her mobile phone handset to send a message on “Epworth Ladies” WhatsApp group on October 23, 2020, which read; “PaEpworth High School, Mr Muzondo, Mr Mudzengere, Mrs Sithole please tinyareiwo muzvigarire kumba, muri kurwisa vanhu vari kukurwirai kuti muwane mari inotenga. Tinyareiwo please.”

When loosely translated in English, this means; “At Epworth High School, Mr Muzondo, Mr Mudzengere and Mrs Sithole, please respect us by staying at your respective homes. You are fighting people that are clamouring for payment of improved salaries for teachers.”

Mupondi was accused by Yvonne Sithole, one of the teachers at Epworth High School who was allegedly mentioned in the WhatsApp communication.

she lodged a complaint with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, resulting in Mupondi being arraigned before magistrate Miti to stand trial on charges of contravening the Postal and Telecommunications Act.