Court fines Binga traditional leader

Hwange (New Ziana) – A Hwange court has fined a Binga traditional leader $600 for unlawfully detaining a 19-year-old teenager who allegedly impregnated his daughter.

Chief Sikalenge, born Bayela Charles Tshuma, 67, was convicted of unlawfully detaining Mwembeni Munenge and insulting his mother after convicting the teenager at his court of impregnating his daughter.

He ordered the boy to be handcuffed to a pole in baking heat as punishment for the offence, and criminally insulted his mother by referring to her private parts.

Munenge was detained for about two hours.

Sikalenge denied the charges, but regional magistrate Sheila Nazombe convicted him after overwhelming evidence was given in court.

The offence was committed at Sikalenge’s traditional court early this year where Munenge was summoned to answer to charges of impregnating the chief’s daughter, Smile Munkuli.

The traditional chief convicted the teenager, and ordered him to pay two cattle and $500. But he also ordered his detention, and insulted his mother.
New Ziana