Zimpapers Logo

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A BUSINESSMAN and Zanu-PF activist, who was recently arrested for possessing a loaded firearm during the Apostolic Faith Church’s 60th anniversary celebrations attended by Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, was yesterday fined $300 or six months in jail.

Sweet Sweet, 56, a Nyamandlovu farmer, had argued that he was using the firearm, a BRNOC2 pistol with 14 round of ammunition, to protect his cash, $2 and R5.

He was convicted of illegal possession of a firearm at a public place by Bulawayo magistrate, Merilyn Mutshina.

Sweet, who in the 2013 harmonised elections tried unsuccessfully to represent Zanu-PF in the Bulawayo East parliamentary constituency, was, however, found not guilty of the alternative charge of possessing a gun outside its intended purpose.

In passing the sentence, Mutshina said the state managed to prove that it was illegal for any civilian to be found carrying a fire arm at a public gathering where only authorised security personnel could do so.

“The state proved beyond reasonable doubt that the meeting was a public gathering contrary to your claims and accordingly you are found guilty of the charge,” ruled Mutshina.

Sweet had, however, through his lawyer, Tendai Sibanda, denied the charge. He argued that he was using the firearm to protect his cash, $2 and R5. He further argued that the event was not a public gathering.

Sweet was caught while in the process of conducting ushering duties, a job only assigned to church deacons.

Prosecuting, Dumisani Ndlovu said on April 4 this year, Sweet was ushering delegates at the Apostolic Faith Church 60th anniversary celebrations in Pelandaba suburb when one of VP Mphoko’s bodyguards, Vumani Ncube, spotted a pistol protruding from his jacket.

Ncube became suspicious and subsequently arrested the businessman and took him to the police station nearby.

When police detectives searched Sweet, they found him with $2 and R5. It was not clear what he intended to use the gun for.

Police investigations revealed that the gun was legally registered for protection of cash in transit with serial number 68244 and certificate number 830701. Sweet, however, claimed that the certificate authorised him to carry the gun, but not to discharge it in public.

Sweet, who is not a regular church member, further claimed that he was assigned by the church’s office manager, Samson Mukondo, to conduct ushering duties on that particular day.

He also claimed that he was involved in logistics concerning the visit by VP Mphoko and Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Eunice Sandi Moyo to the church.