News / National
Man in court for singing a song insulting Mugabe
25 Jan 2013 at 08:51hrs | Views
A Mwenezi man has been dragged to court for singing a song insulting President Mugabe.
Polite Zambezi, 39, yesterday appeared before a Mwenezi magistrate, Timeon Makunde facing charges of undermining the authority of Mugabe in the song.
According to Martin Mureri of Matutu Kwirira and Associates, who is representing Zambezi, the State is claiming that on 25 November, the accused who is a known MDC supporter was travelling in a commuter omnibus from Neshuro to Rutenga in Mwenezi when he sang a song which undermined Mugabe.
Zambezi denies the charges. "The State alleges that my client did not respect the office of the President," said Mureri.
"The State further alleges that the song contained derogatory statements that are dangerous and likely to trigger disharmony but in my opinion the State case lacks clear evidence since there is lack of consistency in the facts of the State case.
"There is no clear evidence to suggest that the accused actually expressed derogatory words. The charges are politically motivated in order to silence suspected MDC supporters in Mwenezi," said Mureri.
The lawyer has since made an application for the matter to be referred to the Supreme Court.
Polite Zambezi, 39, yesterday appeared before a Mwenezi magistrate, Timeon Makunde facing charges of undermining the authority of Mugabe in the song.
According to Martin Mureri of Matutu Kwirira and Associates, who is representing Zambezi, the State is claiming that on 25 November, the accused who is a known MDC supporter was travelling in a commuter omnibus from Neshuro to Rutenga in Mwenezi when he sang a song which undermined Mugabe.
Zambezi denies the charges. "The State alleges that my client did not respect the office of the President," said Mureri.
"The State further alleges that the song contained derogatory statements that are dangerous and likely to trigger disharmony but in my opinion the State case lacks clear evidence since there is lack of consistency in the facts of the State case.
"There is no clear evidence to suggest that the accused actually expressed derogatory words. The charges are politically motivated in order to silence suspected MDC supporters in Mwenezi," said Mureri.
The lawyer has since made an application for the matter to be referred to the Supreme Court.
Source - news
