via Mwonzora, 19 others acquited – The Zimbabwean 22 March 2015
RUSAPE Magistrate Livingstone Chipadza yesterday acquitted former Nyanga North legislator Douglas Mwonzora and 19 others who were facing charges of public violence committed in 2011.
In handing over the acquittal, Chipadze ruled that the evidence led in court by the State was inconsistent and manifestly unreliable so that no reasonable court could convict the accused persons.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) members David Tandiri, Jeremiah Bamu and Peggy Tavagadza represented Mwonzora and the 19 villagers.
Mwonzora and the 19 villagers have been on trial since last year allegedly committing public violence in contravention of Section 36 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
According to the State led by area prosecutor Tirivanhu Mutyasira, in February 2011, Mwonzora and MDC-T supporters held a meeting at Chatindo School, Nyamaropa, where Zanu-PF youths wanted to play social soccer.
The State alleged the group, at the instigation of Mwonzora, attacked Zanu-PF youths and forcibly ejected them from the school.
It is the state’s case that some of the youths were injured and rushed to the nearby Regina Coeli Hospital, where Mwonzora and his co-accused followed them and damaged some buildings.
COMMENTS
Wow a one in a million case to be won by the ‘innocent ‘.