via Mtetwa’s bumpy walk to freedom | The Zimbabwean by ZLHR 29.09.13
Harare Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa has adjourned the trial of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) board chairperson Beatrice Mtetwa to next month after State witnesses failed to turn up in court on Thursday 26 September 2013.
Magistrate Mugwagwa was forced to adjourn the trial to 4 October 2013 after the State, led by Tawanda Zvekare, the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the Attorney General’s Office, failed to bring its remaining witnesses to testify in court.
The State was on Thursday scheduled to lead evidence from Assistant Inspector Thabani Nkomo, its fifth witness after Mtetwa and her lawyer, Harrison Nkomo, finished cross examining Detective Sergeant Taizivei Tembo.
To date Chief Superintendent Luckson Mukazhi, Detective Assistant Inspector Wilfred Chibage, Detective Sergeant Ngatirwe Mamiza and Tembo have already testified against Mtetwa.
The four remaining witnesses include Assistant Inspector Thabani Nkomo, Chido Chawanikwa, a police officer, Stembiwe Vera, a caretaker at former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s research and development office, Brian Mutusva, a computer technician and a driver, Zororai Mudariki.
Mtetwa, a respected and award winning human rights lawyer was arrested on 17 March 2013 and charged with contravening Section 184 (1) (g) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
Police accused her of defeating or obstructing the course of justice by allegedly interfering with a search conducted at one of Tsvangirai’s offices in Harare. Mtetwa argues that she simply asked to be shown a search warrant by the police officers to substantiate their actions.
COMMENTS
Don’t worry Beatrice don’t worry Take courage in that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.And know that suffering may last the night but joy comes in the morning. The joy that the Lord is with you and is on your side and evil is already conquered and the evil shall be conquered should make you proud. Look all they want is to subdue you into submission annihilate you by persecuting and torturing you but that which is you is greater than all the persecution and all the suffering you are enduring and endurance yields.
Stop this judicial persecution of people who are NOT CRIMINALS but who oppose the regime’s illegal behaviour.
Beatrice is a law abiding brave citizen.
I have admired Beatrice since we worked together on a criminal prosecution case in Bulawayo in 1985. My reward for being an honest loyal Zimbabwean was two years in Chikurubi now it seems that she is travelling along the same path. To Beatrice I say, your country will remember you with pride when all your false accusers receive the ignominy that they deserve.