13 activists discharged

via 13 activists discharged | The Herald 12 July 2014 by Lovemore Meya

Thirteen MDC-T activists who were accused of engaging in intra-party violence in Chitungwiza, were yesterday discharged at the close of the State’s case.

Those who were involved in the alleged violence over calls for leadership change in the party, held positions of security officers, ward chairpersons and organising secretaries.

The 13 are; Yosuf Andireya (35), Jacob Muvavi (46), Tarubereka Mashoko (35), Piniel Mutadzo (39), Davision Zibute (44), Chengetai Nyangando (45), Josphine Nyagapa (37), Rudo Masunda (39), Barnabas Chirimhanzi (40), Maidei Moyounotsva (39), Egen Kambewa (29), Stanford Chanakira (29) and Anna Daniel (63).

They all denied public violence charges when they appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Timeon Makunde.

Mr Maxwell Mavhunga of Mavhunga and Associates represented them.

They were all discharged after prosecutor, Ms Ntombikayise Nleya, had called the second witness, a police officer, Constable Malven Nyamututa who was said to have informed other police officers about the incident, said he never witnessed any violence when he arrived.

He said there were people gathered at the scene with some involved in heated arguments as if they were about to exchange blows.

When asked to point any one of the accused whom he could implicate to the offence, he said there was none.

This led to Mr Makunde to rule that there was no evidence linking the 13 to the offence and cleared them.