Source: Zanu PF candidate dragged to court for disrupting rally – DailyNews Live
Tarisai Machakaire 15 February 2017
HARARE – A losing Zanu PF candidate for ward four in Epworth was dragged
to court yesterday after he allegedly mobilised a group of youths to
disrupt a meeting convened by a local councillor.
Kudakwashe Damson, from Overspill, appeared before Harare magistrate
Rumbidzai Mugwagwa facing charges of disrupting a public gathering by
engaging in disorderly or riotous conduct intending to prevent the
business which the meeting had been called for.
The 32-year-old contested against Murambidzi Tafireyi – who is also the
Local Board chairman – for the right to represent Zanu PF in the Epworth
by-elections held last year, but lost.
Prosecutor Sabastian Mutizirwa alleged that on February 12 this year,
Tafireyi convened a meeting at KumaTank in Stopover, Epworth.
The court heard that Tafireyi wanted to show party members the approved
layout plan for residential stands that had been processed for their
benefit.
It was alleged that Tafireyi also invited Zalerah Makari, Epworth’s MP, to
the meeting.
During the meeting, Damson – acting in common purpose with other Zanu PF
youths who are still at large – allegedly hatched a plan to disrupt the
meeting.
He reportedly used a Mercedes Benz lorry to ferry accomplices to the
venue.
And as Makari was addressing the gathering, Damson and crew began shouting
at the legislator, accusing her of being corrupt.
They reportedly shouted that Tafireyi was a thief and went on to praise
Damson for allocating larger residential stands to the community.
Damson and his accomplices reportedly sang “Povo yaramba
zvemadhisinyongoro” and “Hatipihwe order nemasaskamu” and allegedly
prevented smooth flow of business.
It was further alleged that Damson began distributing copies of a petition
against distribution of 200-square metre stands and also incited the
gathering to reject the regularisation exercise.
The court heard that Tafireyi had to immediately call-off the meeting
after realising that Damson and his accomplices’ behaviour would generate
into violence.
Tafireyi reported the case to the police the following day, leading to
Damson’s arrest.
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