The three youths, Hardlife Ndlovu (29) Nqobani Mlilo and Mthunzi Mabhena were convicted last week by Bulawayo magistrate Mark Dzira despite pleading not guilty to the charges. Dzira sentenced them to four years for kidnapping and one year for exortion.Two years of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
According to the state outline, on March 7 the three went to Macs Garage in the city centre where they kidnapped some touts who tout for commuter omnibuses plying the Gwanda, Filabusi and Masvingo routes.
They took the complainants at the party’s provincial headquarters at Davies Hall where they demanded $50 per day from the touts claiming the money was for fuelling Zanu (PF) vehicles .The youths were arrested by plainclothes police officers after a tip –off when they went to collect the money.
Before their arrest, the youths have besieged long distance pick up points in Bulawayo where they are demanding protection fees from touts.
Post published in: News