KWEKWE — A 39-year-old caretaker at Kwekwe cemetery has been sentenced to perform community service for defacing pictures on two tombstones following an altercation with a complainant.

Oded Musarakufa appeared at the Kwekwe Magistrates Court last week, facing charges of disorderly conduct, two counts of violating graves, and another count of threats of future violence.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the court heard that on August 5, 2024, Musarakufa blocked the complainant from entering the cemetery when she had gone to check on a tombstone.

On August 26, he allegedly defaced pictures on two tombstones following the altercation with the complainant. On September 11, he went to the complainant’s shop and threatened to assault her. A report was made to the police, leading to the arrest of Musarakufa.

He was sentenced to pay a US$100 fine or face 30 days imprisonment for disorderly conduct. Additionally, he was sentenced to 12 months in jail for violating graves. However, the magistrate suspended three months on the condition that he does not commit a similar offense in the next five years.

The remaining nine months were suspended on the condition that he completes 315 hours of community service. For the threat of violence, Musarakufa was ordered to pay a US$200 fine.