A 36-YEAR-OLD man from Shurugwi stunned a Gweru court while pleading for leniency when he said he had 11 wives and 30 children to look after.
Leonard Chigamana of Tongogara in Shurugwi begged Magistrate Musaiona Shotgame to consider his responsibilities when sentencing him, as he pleaded guilty to malicious damage of property.
He broke a Gweru City Council clamp rod which was placed on his motor vehicle wheel for dangerous parking.
“Your worship I’m pleading for leniency. I’m the only bread winner for my family. I’ve 11 wives and 30 children to look after. If I’m given a custodial sentence no one will look after them,” said Chigamana.
He was lucky to escape jail when Shotgame convicted and fined him $20.
“I’ve considered that you are a first offender and you have a big family to look after.
“You will pay a $20 fine. In default of payment you will spend 40 days in prison. Further, you have to pay $40 to council through the clerk of court as restitution,” he said.
Prosecuting, Bernard Nyoni told the court that on February 19 at N Richards in Gweru, Antonia Sibanda from the Gweru City Council was on patrol when he saw Chigamana’s vehicle dangerously parked, without a parking disk.
Nyoni said Chigamana arrived while his vehicle was being clamped.
“He was advised to pay a fine at the town house and he didn’t argue,” said Nyoni.
The court heard that Chigamana instead used an unknown object to break the clamp rod valued at $40 and drove away.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Chigamana’s arrest.
