Temba Mliswa trial enters its second day

The trial of businessman Temba Mliswa and nine others accused of assaulting Hurungwe East legislator Sarah Mahoka and her entourage entered its second day with the defence labelling the legislator a "superwoman" and a "liar".

This was after the defence led evidence that established that Mahoka did not fall during the attack.
Lawyer Mr Mark Mutsvairo said Mahoka later accompanied the police to the accused's houses without seeking medical assistance.

"You must be a very strong woman who did not at any time fall to the ground after a concerted attack from 12 men.
"From 24 hands that allegedly hit you not even a single blow landed on your face. That is strange," Mr Mutsvairo said.

Mahoka, however, said she only sought medical assistance at around midnight after assisting the police account for some of the suspects.
She told the court that she lost her Apple I-phone, a beret and car keys among other valuables during the attack at Zvimonja Business Centre in Hurungwe last month.

However, the defence said Mahoka did not have an I-phone as she could not describe it in court.
Mr Mutsvairo accused Mahoka of putting an ankle brace as a "special effects item" to make an impression in the court to fix Mliswa politically.

Mahoka said she was hit on the leg with a brick sustaining a dislocated ankle to which the defence said a medical affidavit did not show the extent of the injury.
Mahoka hit back saying that Mliswa benefited immensely from her assistance to ascend to the provincial Zanu-PF structures and she had no reason to hate him.

Mliswa is jointly charged with Goodwell Zinyama (49), Simbarashe Mamina (30), Christopher Munakira (35), Munyaradzi Mutami (33), Judge Mukwava (34), January Mapfundematsva (37) and Matilda Makwanya (33) for public violence.

His other co-accused Livingston Muwandi and Munyaradzi Gava were granted bail yesterday by Chinhoyi magistrate Mr Sam Chitumwa.

Mr Herald Matura appeared for the State.