Dirty game: Disqualified Zanu PF candidate thrown 2 years behind bars for brewing illicit beer

Chipinge: It never rains but pours for disqualified Zanu PF primary election Chipinge South candidate, Robert Nyemudzo.

He was slapped with an effective 18 months jail term Wednesday when he appeared before Chipinge magistrate Franklin Mkwananzi answering to allegation of brewing illicit beer for commercial purposes.

This was in contravention of the Harmful Liquids Act.

His ‘brewery’ was located at his homestead in the vicinity of Checheche growth point and he allegedly had a huge staff complement.

Interestingly , Nyemudzo’s alleged mastery of illegal alcohol brewing came to light one day after he defeated his opponent in the ruling party’ primary elections.

This compelled the Zanu PF hierarchy to dispatch a ‘crack’ team to investigate the alleged offence subsequently leading to his disqualification.

In court, Nyemudzo had entered a not guilty plea but the magistrate said there was incriminating evidence against him.

During mitigation,his lawyer Simon Simango of Nyikadzino and Simango Associates pleaded for a moderate sentence citing that he was a bigamist with eight children.

“Your Worship ,I am pleading with the courts to pass a light sentence in the form of a fine or community service because he is a first offender.

“The accused is a family man with two wives and eight children and if the court gives him a custodial sentence , it will ruin the future of the family.

“The accused emerged victorious in the just ended Zanu PF primary election and the party hierarchy sent a team to investigate the alleged offence and found him clean.
“The courts should also consider this in sentencing,” said Simango.

However, the State led by Thulani Zondwayo quashed the prayer and said a deterrent sentence was appropriate.

Mkwananzi then sentenced him 24 months and suspended six months on condition that the accused did not commit a similar offence in the next five years .

It also emerged in court that Nyemedzo would blend ethanol with water before packaging it into containers of popular brands.

Forensic tests were made and the results worked against Nyemudzo and literally meant the majority of Checheche alcohol imbibers were being intoxicated by fake beer since Nyemudzo was alleged to be one of the chief suppliers.