Cephas Shava
MWENEZI – A 35-year old man took the national identity card of his elder brother and used it to register to vote, the Mwenezi Magistrates’ Court heard last week.
Humphrey Maswabi, who worked as a general hand at Zishiri Farm in Umbono Ranch, appeared before magistrate Honest Musiiwa and pleaded guilty to charges of contravening section 37 (2) (d) of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13 ‘Registration of Voters’.
Magistrate Musiiwa strongly warned Maswabi and pointed out that had it not been the fact that Maswabi was a mere farm worker, he would have imposed a stiffer sentence that would deter other would-be-offenders.
He sentenced him to 30 days behind bars or alternatively to pay a fine of US$100.
Asked why he committed the offence, Maswabi told the court that he did not have a national identity card but was eager to be registered as a voter.
The court heard that on October 25, Maswabi went to Zishiri Farm and asked for a proof of residence from the farm manager Philemon Marasha.
Although Marasha knew Maswabi as Humphrey, he produced a national identity card that was named Fortunate Maswabi. Upon being questioned, he convinced the manager that the name Humphrey was his second name and does not appear on the identity card.
As a result the manager issued Maswabi with a proof of residence bearing the name Fortunate Maswabi.
Maswabi then went to the District Administrator’s complex where he registered in the name of his brother, Fortunate Maswabi who is currently in Namibia.
Police detectives were informed and conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of Maswabi.
Angelinah Makonya appeared for the State.local
