Madiro (49) is jointly charged with his deputy, Dorothy Mabika (47).
The pair appeared before Mutare magistrate, Lucy Anne Mungwari facing charges of stock theft.
They were not asked to plead and the matter has been further remanded to 22 April 2013.The trial will run until 24 April and state witnesses including Zanu (PF) provincial secretary for administration Kenneth
Saruchera,national secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa and Zi-fm boss Supa Mandiwanzira will testify.
Mungwari granted both accused $150 bail and ordered them not to interfere with State witnesses. Madiro was ordered to reside at New Mornington farm in Odzi while Mabika at Shiriyakangwara farm, Mount Selinda in Chipinge.
Prosecutor Jane Matsikidze told the court that the two at an unknown date in 2012,at farm number 39 in Middle Sabi,received 10 cattle on behalf of the 2012 21st February Movement committee in Manicaland. It is alleged that they unlawfully and intentionally stole the animals.
They had no right whatsoever to act in that manner. The two were represented by Tinofara Hove of TK Hove and Associates.
The defence counsel argued that the two should not pay bail since they were not in police custody and were called through summons. The defence also argued that the accused complied with police during investigations.
But, the State argued that the defence argument was tantamount to saying the magistrate should withdraw the case because the accused were called to court through summons.
“Your worship the police conveyed the message and I am not sure if that amounts to summons. Unless the counsel is saying we should withdraw the case,” argued Matsikidze.
Mabika later appeared before the same court facing one count of stock theft and another count of defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
She was not asked to plead. She was remanded out of custody to May 2 on $150 bail and warned not to interfere with State witnesses. She was ordered to reside at Shiriyakangwara farm in Mount Selinda, Chipinge until the matter is finalized.
A total of 13 witnesses including a prominent white commercial farmer, Dawid Hercules Joubert, sacked deputy provincial secretary for publicity Charles Samuriwo and Zanu (PF) National Secretary for Administration will testify in Mabika`s case.
State led by prosecutor Christine Sungai Nyamaropa told the court that on a stock theft count, Mabika on September 2011 at Shiriyakangwara farm in Mount Selinda, received six dairy cows from a local commercial farmer Dawid Hercules Joubert.
The cattle were meant to feed people at a Zanu (PF) function. The court was further told that Mabika instead of handing over the cattle, she stole them.
On the second count of obstructing the course of justice, Nyamaropa told the court that Mabika on February 12, 2013 at Zanu ( PF) Manicaland party offices, unlawfully altered some minutes of a Zanu (PF) provincial executive meeting held on November 21 2011 with an intention to conceal the truth and information which was being looked at by police during investigations.
Mabika is reported to have instructed Angawache Maenda and Lucy Golowa to change the minutes of the Zanu (PF) provincial executive meeting to reflect that six donated cattle died due to lack of stock feed and supplementary milk whereas she had actually stolen them.
She was represented by Tinofara Hove of TK Hove and Associates. Both accused deny the charge.
Post published in: News