News / Local
MDC-T senator in court over intra-party violence
20 Mar 2013 at 06:37hrs | Views
MDC-T senator for Mzilikazi-Makokoba, Matson Hlalo, ward 8 councillor Mackenzie Sibanda and a party official, Clayton Kahiya, yesterday appeared in court to answer charges of political violence following intra-party clashes early this year.
Hlalo (59) of Khumalo, Sibanda (79) of Mzilikazi and Kahiya (63) of Mzilikazi - all in Bulawayo - were not asked to plead to political violence charges when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Takundwa Witness Mtetwa.
The three are being represented by Charles Moyo. Mtetwa granted them $50 bail each and remanded the case to April 3 for trial.
The prosecutor Marlvin Nome told the court that on January 19 at about 10am, Hlalo, Sibanda and Kahiya were part of a gathering at McDonald Hall in Makokoba constituency where an MDC- T restructuring exercise was being held.
During the meeting they allegedly became violent dragging and lifting MDC-T Bulawayo provincial organising secretary Albert Mhlanga inside and outside the hall thereby triggering public violence. Mhlanga is also Pumula MP.
It is the State case the alleged violence by the three attracted the attention of the public thereby disturbing peace and security.
In a statement which Mhlanga gave the police, the MP alleged that he was assaulted by six people during the gathering. He said his assailants were led by Sibanda who was allegedly instructed by Hlalo.
"I then proceeded to the police and made a report on January 19," he said. "I also have James Sithole and Gombedzi (ward 7 councillors) as my witnesses to that effect."
In his warmed and cautioned statement, Kahiya denied the allegations.
"I was at a distance of about 10 metres and only witnessed Mhlanga being dragged by his jacket by people from the attendance (sic)," Kahiya said. "I then escorted Mhlanga to his vehicle and he eventually stopped the proceedings."
In his warned and cautioned statement Sibanda denied the allegations. Hlalo also denied the allegations.
"I do not know what Mhlanga is accusing me of," Hlalo said in the statement.
"On January 19, I went to McDonald Hall as an organising committee member for purposes of auditing of ward 8.
"Mhlanga only admitted people from ward 7 to take part and I objected. He continued with the exercise despite the protest. We had no alternative but to leave him to do the exercise by himself."
Hlalo (59) of Khumalo, Sibanda (79) of Mzilikazi and Kahiya (63) of Mzilikazi - all in Bulawayo - were not asked to plead to political violence charges when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Takundwa Witness Mtetwa.
The three are being represented by Charles Moyo. Mtetwa granted them $50 bail each and remanded the case to April 3 for trial.
The prosecutor Marlvin Nome told the court that on January 19 at about 10am, Hlalo, Sibanda and Kahiya were part of a gathering at McDonald Hall in Makokoba constituency where an MDC- T restructuring exercise was being held.
During the meeting they allegedly became violent dragging and lifting MDC-T Bulawayo provincial organising secretary Albert Mhlanga inside and outside the hall thereby triggering public violence. Mhlanga is also Pumula MP.
It is the State case the alleged violence by the three attracted the attention of the public thereby disturbing peace and security.
In a statement which Mhlanga gave the police, the MP alleged that he was assaulted by six people during the gathering. He said his assailants were led by Sibanda who was allegedly instructed by Hlalo.
In his warmed and cautioned statement, Kahiya denied the allegations.
"I was at a distance of about 10 metres and only witnessed Mhlanga being dragged by his jacket by people from the attendance (sic)," Kahiya said. "I then escorted Mhlanga to his vehicle and he eventually stopped the proceedings."
In his warned and cautioned statement Sibanda denied the allegations. Hlalo also denied the allegations.
"I do not know what Mhlanga is accusing me of," Hlalo said in the statement.
"On January 19, I went to McDonald Hall as an organising committee member for purposes of auditing of ward 8.
"Mhlanga only admitted people from ward 7 to take part and I objected. He continued with the exercise despite the protest. We had no alternative but to leave him to do the exercise by himself."
Source - newsday
