News / National
'Komichi must be put to his defence to clarify his actions'
30 Jan 2019 at 02:57hrs | Views
A HARARE magistrate yesterday dismissed an application for discharge filed by MDC vice-president Morgen Komichi, who is facing charges of violating the Electoral Act by allegedly disrupting the announcement of the July 30 presidential election results.
In dismissing the application, magistrate Ruramai Chitumbura ruled that Komichi, who is represented by Obey Shava, must be put to his defence to clarify the import of his actions.
Chitumbura said although Komichi went to the podium used by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) during break time, it was just an adjournment of the proceedings.
"Although the accused person used the break period to address the gathering, he must be put to his defence since the period he went on the podium was just an adjournment of which the proceedings of the Zec had not been ended," Chitumbura said.
The matter was postponed to February 5 for the defence case.
Allegations are that on August 2 last year, Komichi was at the Harare International Conference Centre, where Zec was announcing the July 30 presidential election results. After a break, Komichi went to the podium reserved for commissioners announcing presidential results and took the microphone before
rejecting the results.
Komichi claimed that the results had not followed due process as the MDC Alliance agents had not been asked to verify the results.
The State alleges he was stopped by the police from making further announcements and was later arrested.
Michael Reza appeared for the State.
In dismissing the application, magistrate Ruramai Chitumbura ruled that Komichi, who is represented by Obey Shava, must be put to his defence to clarify the import of his actions.
Chitumbura said although Komichi went to the podium used by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) during break time, it was just an adjournment of the proceedings.
"Although the accused person used the break period to address the gathering, he must be put to his defence since the period he went on the podium was just an adjournment of which the proceedings of the Zec had not been ended," Chitumbura said.
Allegations are that on August 2 last year, Komichi was at the Harare International Conference Centre, where Zec was announcing the July 30 presidential election results. After a break, Komichi went to the podium reserved for commissioners announcing presidential results and took the microphone before
rejecting the results.
Komichi claimed that the results had not followed due process as the MDC Alliance agents had not been asked to verify the results.
The State alleges he was stopped by the police from making further announcements and was later arrested.
Michael Reza appeared for the State.
Source - newsday
