The trail has dragged on for over a year and defence lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa has been critical of the slow pace, saying only a few hours have been spent on the actual trial due to deliberate delays by the prosecution and judge.
Lawyer Gift Mtisi, who is part of the defence team, told SW Radio Africa that Prosecutor Edmore Nyazamba, had excused himself after only one witness on Wednesday. Nyazamba told the court that he was not feeling well and had to see a doctor.
“On Thursday we were ready to proceed with evidence from a chief inspector but the prosecutor did not turn up. He sent Mpofu (from the prosecutor’s office) who said the doctor had given Nyazamba a five-day bed rest. So the trial could not proceed and was postponed until October 29th,” Mtisi explained.
He added that there have been numerous adjournments and postponements, without any justifiable cause most of the time. On Tuesday the court had adjourned early because the prosecution said they had no other witnesses. This was after only one testimony, which the prosecution said they had expected to take longer.
Mtisi confirmed that activist Cynthia Manjoro was released on Thursday after the prosecution conceded during the session on Wednesday that she should be bailed. The warrant of release, required by prison authorities, was not ready until Thursday. Manjoro rejoined her three-year old son.
Her release came after a dramatic day Tuesday, when defence lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa shed tears in court. Cynthia’s brother had testified that she was being held as bait for the arrest of Darlington Mudzingwa, who was using her car the day the cop was murdered.
As a state witness, the brother’s evidence exonerated Cynthia and the prosecution later conceded she should not be detained any longer.
The Glen View cop Petros Mutedza died last year following a brawl at a local pub. The police claim he was murdered by MDC-T members who had gathered there for a meeting. The MDC-T strongly deny the charges and insist the arrests are a plot by ZANU PF to destroy the party structures. – SW Radio Africa News
Post published in: News