Zimbabwean Woman Burned In Musina As Punishment For Stealing Meat Worth R25

By Staff Reporter
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November 19, 2020

Zimbabwean Woman Set On Fire In Musina As Punishment For Stealing Meat Worth R25

In a sad development, a Zimbabwean woman is lucky to be alive after she was doused with methylated spirit and set alight by employees at a SuperSpar for stealing food worth R25.

iHarare has established that a Zimbabwean woman living in South Africa was badly injured when employees at SuperSpar set her on fire for stealing a packet of meat worth R25 on 10 November 2020.

The 40-year-old woman who spoke to the on condition of anonymity revealed that she sustained burn wounds on her waist, arm, leg, and vagina when three employees at the shop doused her with methylated spirit and set her alight.

“Out of desperation I walked to Spar and stole a packet of meat worth R25. I walked out without anyone noticing me until some Spar workers approached me, requesting to know what I had bought. I never denied anything. I showed them the meat,” said Mavis.

She said though she explained her situation and apologized for her actions, the employees went ahead and poured spirits onto her skirt and set it alight.

I asked for forgiveness but all fell on deaf ears. Some kicked me. I told them if they wanted to kill me then they should not make me suffer that way,” she said.

Luckily some Musina residents came to her rescue and called the police who responded quickly. The residents immediately demanded that the shop be closed, however, the shop was re-opened the next day.

The Spar Group confirmed the incident saying the store and its ownership were shocked and saddened by these events that took place at SuperSpar. The company has since apologized and offered support to the alleged victim and family.

According to Colonel Moathse Ngoepe from Musina South African Police Service (SAPS), three people aged between 27 and 40 were arrested in connection with the incident.

All three have so far appeared at the Musina Magistrates Court on 13 November and were granted bail of R1 000 each.

They are due back in court in January 2021.

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Student Loan Refinance for Lower Payments

Student Loan Refinance: How to Lower Payments

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Borrowers should understand what benefits they may lose before refinancing.

How to Compare Offers

Compare interest rates, repayment terms, fees, cosigner options, and monthly payments. A lower monthly payment may come with a longer term and more total interest.

Conclusion

Student loan refinance may help some borrowers save money, but it is important to compare lenders and understand the trade-offs.

DUI Defense Lawyer: Common Legal Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

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DUI Defense Lawyer: Common Legal Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

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A DUI arrest is not the same as a conviction. Prosecutors must prove the case, and the defense has the right to challenge the evidence.

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A DUI defense lawyer looks for legal, factual, and technical problems in the government’s case.

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Every DUI case is different. Some defenses focus on the traffic stop. Others focus on field sobriety tests, chemical testing, officer procedure, or whether the person was actually impaired.

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Defense 1: Illegal Traffic Stop

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Police usually need a legal reason to stop a driver.

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Possible stop reasons include:

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Speeding
rnSwerving
rnRunning a red light
rnExpired tag
rnEquipment violation
rnAccident investigation
rnReasonable suspicion of impaired driving

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If the stop was not legally justified, evidence gathered after the stop may be challenged.

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Defense 2: No Probable Cause for Arrest

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Even if the stop was legal, the officer must have enough evidence to make a DUI arrest.

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A lawyer may review:

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Driving behavior
rnOfficer observations
rnSpeech
rnBalance
rnOdor of alcohol
rnField sobriety tests
rnStatements
rnVideo evidence
rnMedical conditions

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If probable cause was weak, the arrest may be challenged.

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Defense 3: Field Sobriety Test Problems

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Field sobriety tests are not always reliable.

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A person may perform poorly because of:

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Medical conditions
rnAnxiety
rnFatigue
rnAge
rnInjury
rnPoor footwear
rnUneven ground
rnWeather
rnBad instructions
rnLanguage barriers

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A DUI lawyer may compare the officer’s report to body camera or dash camera video.

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Defense 4: Breath Test Issues

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Breath testing can be challenged if the machine or procedure was flawed.

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Potential issues include:

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Improper calibration
rnLack of maintenance
rnOfficer certification problems
rnMouth alcohol
rnVomiting or burping before test
rnMedical conditions
rnImproper observation period
rnRadio frequency interference claims
rnTesting outside required time windows

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A breath result is only as strong as the procedure behind it.

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Defense 5: Blood Test Problems

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Blood tests may be challenged based on:

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Improper blood draw
rnContamination
rnChain of custody
rnStorage problems
rnLab errors
rnFermentation
rnTesting delays
rnDocumentation gaps
rnQualified person requirements

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A lawyer may request lab records and review whether the sample was handled properly.

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Defense 6: Rising Blood Alcohol

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A rising blood alcohol defense argues that the person’s BAC was lower while driving and rose by the time of testing.

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This may be relevant when there is a delay between the stop and the chemical test.

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The defense depends on drinking timeline, food intake, body weight, test timing, and expert analysis.

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Defense 7: Medical Conditions

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Some medical conditions can affect DUI evidence.

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Examples may include:

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Diabetes
rnAcid reflux
rnNeurological disorders
rnBalance disorders
rnEye conditions
rnInjuries
rnFatigue
rnAnxiety
rnMedication side effects

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A medical issue does not automatically defeat a DUI charge, but it may explain certain observations.

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Defense 8: Not Actually Driving

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Some cases involve people found in parked vehicles.

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Legal issues may include:

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Was the person driving?
rnWas the engine on?
rnWhere were the keys?
rnWas the vehicle operable?
rnWas the person sleeping?
rnDid anyone witness driving?

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State laws vary on what counts as driving or actual physical control.

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Defense 9: Police Report vs. Video Evidence

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Police reports sometimes make a case look stronger than video shows.

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A DUI lawyer may review:

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Body camera footage
rnDash camera footage
rnBooking video
rnRoadside testing video
rnAudio recordings
rnJail observation video

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Video can confirm or contradict officer claims.

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Defense 10: Constitutional Violations

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A DUI case may involve constitutional issues such as:

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Unlawful stop
rnUnlawful search
rnImproper questioning
rnViolation of rights
rnImproper detention
rnLack of warrant where required

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A lawyer may file motions to suppress evidence if legal rights were violated.

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Final Thoughts

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A DUI defense lawyer does not rely on one-size-fits-all arguments. The defense depends on the evidence.

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Traffic stop, arrest procedure, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, video evidence, and constitutional issues all matter.

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If you are charged with DUI, get the evidence reviewed before deciding what to do next.