A GWANDA man who caused a stir last month by stealing an ambulance was yesterday committed to 28 days at Mlondolozi Psychiatric Institution for medical treatment after State doctors confirmed that he is mentally unstable. ALBERT NCUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT
Magistrate Sheila Nazombe granted the order after medical affidavits produced in court revealed that Polite Ngwenya (31) had a history of psychiatric disorders and was, therefore, not fit to stand trial.
Mlondolozi houses prisoners who are diagnosed with mental illnesses and magistrates normally order that two doctors examine them to ascertain their mental state before they are seen by a psychiatrist.
Once the psychiatrist certifies them mentally-challenged, they are then tried under the Mental Health Act and the sentence is committed to a mental institution where they receive treatment until they are certified to have recovered.
Ngwenya, who was recently released from prison after serving a 10-month sentence for violent conduct, had exhibited signs of being mentally unstable during his initial court appearance last month when he castigated the judiciary for incarcerating him.
Ngwenya claimed he was arrested by MDC people because of his support for Zanu PF, forcing the magistrate to order that he be examined.
Allegations against Ngwenya are that on October 23, he threatened a nurse who had been left in the ambulance by driver Tragedy Maphosa in Gwanda town.
Ngwenya ordered the nurse out of the car then drove the ambulance to his rural home area in Mafuku village, about 40km away from Gwanda.
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Villagers confiscated the ambulance keys and contacted the police, who arrested Ngwenya.
