via Ex-minister summoned over 2005 Mugabe insult – DailyNews Live by Godfrey Mtimba 5 NOVEMBER 2013
Tongai Matutu, the ex-deputy minister of Indigenisation, has been summoned to the Gweru Magistrates Court to answer charges of insulting President Robert Mugabe in 2005.
He is facing charges of violating sections of the Public Order and Security Act (Posa) when he allegedly called Mugabe a “dog”.
The case was brought to trial eight years ago, but failed to take-off after the state failed to produce witnesses.
The case was supposed to be heard on Friday, but the State failed to produce witnesses, causing a postponement.
Matutu said he was surprised to see the case being revived.
“I believe this is no longer a pursuit for justice but for a person,” Matutu said.
“This is a grand plan by Zanu PF to victimise members of the opposition who are perceived vibrant and outspoken.”
According to summons seen by the Daily News, Matutu’s allegedly committed the offence on June 25, 2005 at a rally held at Feri business centre in Zaka.
He faces charges of contravening Section 16 (2) (b) of Posa.
The summons accuses Matutu of attempting to cause public disorder or incite an uprising and insulting the president.
“He uttered words that were threatening or insulting, intending to provoke a breach of peace or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that a breach of the peace may be provoked,” reads part of the summons.
It further charged him of calling Mugabe a dog and likening him to a tsunami.
“I have never seen a dog like Mugabe, a tsunami that killed people,” Matutu is alleged to have said, according to the charge sheet.
“Zanu PF is not giving MDC-T supporters maize grain and you just stand watching and praying yet you are being ill-treated. The people should rise up against the government and not the other way round.”
But Matutu said the case was “lifeless” and failed to kick off on Friday ostensibly because it was weak and no one was willing to testify against him.
This is not the first time Matutu has fallen foul with the law.
In 2010, he was convicted of assaulting Chief Serima, born Vengesayi Rushwaya, and fined $100 or 25 days in prison.
He appealed against the sentence and conviction.
COMMENTS
Mugabe is a dog. Also half baboon half donkey. Now take me to court you scum
He is worse than all that…..but we may not declare it publicly
WHAT GAEBAGE AND A LOAD OF RUBBISH!
To think that honest taxpayers money (of which there is precious little) is being wasted on funding these people and their antics is hard to bear.
Don”t compare Mugabe to an animal.I think that”s an insult to the animals.Animals are usefull,Mugabe on the other hand,hmm…….draw your own conclusions.
There are three things involved. First at this frequency then its only a question of which type, he is not a greyhound, a germany sherperd of course not my uncle’s mkenkethe/mgankla.
Second the SPCA should consider the safety of this animal dog considering the havoc it causes to the public, ZEC continually exposes it to all forms of abuse.
Third, then Grace becomes a she dog, Bona and simblings puppies, a dog surround itself with dogs hence Gono and the first legs story. China and dog farming, what do you think? Lastly who am i not to say Mugabe is a dog for i am Zimbabwean.
Mugabe imbwa. Huso hwakapetana.
Imbwa Imbwa
Sorry Dogs,didnt mean to insult you guys like that! Maybe a worm.
By arresting people for saying their feelings towards mugabe the police are only fanning the flames. We will not stop calling him all sorts of names. He once called himself a goblin wani? Asijiki we wl unsult him kusvika zvanaka.
imbga irinani inohukura Mugabe itsvina ndove duzvi dhodhiv