He joins fellow party cadres, Provincial Youths Treasurer, Levi Chiminya, and outgoing Mkoba MP Amos Chibaya who have been on the court roll for political violence cases this year.
Chiminya and Chibaya however have since been set free for a case in which they had been charged of assaulting Zanu (PF) supporters at a bar at Guinea Fowl, 10 kilometers from the city centre last year. In the latest case, Dambakurima (33), who resides in Mkoba 5, Gweru is facing charges
of disorderly conduct and violating a section of the Electoral Act for allegedly using force to confiscate MDC-T regalia from Independent candidate, Kumbirai Rutsvara’s campaign manager, Mukhululeko Ndebele.
It is the state’s case led by prosecutor Bornwell Balamanje that on July 7 2013 at Mkoba 5 shopping centre, the accused intentionally engaged in disorderly conduct or behaved in a threatening or insulting manner by removing an MDC-T red beret from the complainant.
Further allegations are that the following day, the MDC-T youth went on to unlawfully and intentionally pull down a number of political campaign posters for Gweru urban independent candidate, Teddious Chimombe, from his Mitsubishi Canter in protest over the use of Morgan Tsvangirai party’s open palm symbol by the former mayor.
However, in his defence, put forward by his lawyer, Takashinga Pamacheche of Gundu
and Dube Legal Partners, Dambakurima denies the charges arguing that he only dissuaded the two of using MDC-T material in their campaigns since they had been expelled from the party and chosen to stand as independent candidates in the coming elections.
The accused further states that Rutsvara’s campaign manager had voluntarily surrendered the regalia but was surprised when police later came to arrest him.
Magistrate Siphatekile Msipa remanded Dambakurima to July 29 on $ 200 bail. He was ordered to reside at his given address and to report to the CID Law and Order section daily.
His arrest follows that of the aspiring MP for Dangamvura-Chikanga, Arnold Tsunga, who was taken in on Friday on charges of holding an illegal procession in the area and later fined $20.
Tsunga, a prominent human rights lawyer, was arrested at around 4.30pm and was released on Saturday almost 24 hours later.
His lawyer, Tinoziva Bere, from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights confirmed the release of his client.
Post published in: News