A woman has been fined by a court for bringing a tortoise to work to threaten her human resources manager over unpaid wages.
Sithembiso Budzirikawa, 58, told the manager she would use the tortoise, which was covered in red floor polish and had needles and a red cloth on it, to get her money, the Harare Magistrates Court heard.
Police were called to the scene, and Budzirikawa was arrested after she failed to show a permit allowing her to transport the tortoise from its habitat.
Investigations revealed that Budzirikawa had taken the tortoise from Chabwino Farm in Goromonzi. She intended to use it to intimidate the manager with witchcraft, hoping to get her wages paid quickly.
Budzirikawa was charged under the Wildlife Act. On Thursday, a Harare magistrate sentenced her to pay a $300 fine or spend three months in jail.
