MARONDERA – MDC-T Provincial Security Officer, William Makonese, recently challenged police and the courts not to belittle crimes committed by Zanu (PF) against MDC.
Makonese was due to appear at the Magistrates Court here on 15 November, as a complainant against a Zanu (PF) activist, Chengetai Bwanali, accused of attempting to run over him (Makonese) with a vehicle.
Makonese protested against police trivialisation of the charge as assault. He wants the charge to be classified as attempted murder.
“In the interest of justice, we had to take a fresh look at the case as demanded by the complainant,” said a prosecutor with the courts.
According to Makonese, Chengetai Bwanali, a Zanu (PF) tout stationed at Murewa-Dombotombo turn off bus station, attempted to run over him and Kenneth Jack, with his Toyota Corolla vehicle on 8 June this year. Zanu (PF) declared the bus station a no go area for MDC.
The two victims proceeded to make a police report at Dombotombo Police Station. The police arrested them and the spent three days in police holding cells.
Their lawyer, Makiyasi Mandebele, of the Lawyers for Human rights, threatened to stage a one man demonstration in protest against the ‘apparent’ selective justice. This resulted in the courts ordering the police to investigate the case on its merit. Bwanali was later arrested and released on bail.
Makonese, will be advised of the new trial date, after police have finished their investigations. – Staff reporter
Headmaster up for fraud
KWEKWE – Local magistrate, Taurai Manwere, is presiding over a case in which a school headmaster swindled Ruvimbo Government primary school of thousands of dollars.
The matter came to light following a tip off by members of the public. It is the state’s case that in January, the district education ministry offices received a letter that levelled allegations of corruption against the primary school involving headmistress, Florence Magidha, and the bursar, Elton Mariwa.
Acting on the tip off, Kwekwe district education inspector, John Chataika, enlisted the services of external auditors led by Constantine Mutsikira. Mutsikira, who gave his evidence in court, said the school’s financial books were not in order at the time of the audit.
He said it was discovered that the officials were making under-bankings deliberately siphoning school funds for personal use.
A shortfall of $4 829 was discovered.
Education Inspector Chataika also told the court that the ministry further conducted interviews with parents of children at the school and other members of the public who all implicated the two officials.
Both of the accused are denying the charges. They will be given a platform to outline their defence when the trial resumes next week. – Brenna Matendere
Man on charges of abuse
GWERU – A 33-year-old man has appeared at the local courts facing charges of sexually abusing a mentally ill women.
Prosecutor Joyce Mtasa said on September 26, the woman, Emmaculate Maphosa, of no fixed abode, was at Plasworth shops at Guinea Fowl, 10km outside Gweru.
The accused, Douglas Banda, took her to his neighbour’s kitchen hut and raped her.
Magistrate Mildred Mutuvi remanded Banda in custody while the prosecution team which expressed interest in searching for the accused’s possible previous convictions, finds a date for trial.
Lately, the local courts have taken a tough stance on perpetrators of rape.
Suspects on the case have been receiving lengthy imprisonment terms if convicted. – Brenna Matendere
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