News / National
MDC-T councillor faces murder charges
05 Apr 2013 at 04:34hrs | Views
MDC-T Mbare councillor Paul Gorekore, who was arrested in Harare on Tuesday, is now being charged with the murder of police Inspector Petros Mutedza, who was allegedly killed in Glen View, Harare, in May 2011.
Mutedza's alleged murder prompted the arrest of 29 MDC-T activists, most of whom spent over a year in remand prison before their release on bail. Five accused are still in custody as their trial continues at the High Court.
Gorekore becomes the 30th MDC-T activist to be charged over Mutedza's death, whom the State alleges was murdered as he tried to stop an illegal party gathering in the suburb.
Gorekore's lawyer Obey Shava confirmed that he was still in police custody saying: "He has been formally charged with the murder of Mutedza. We are not yet sure when he will be taken to court as the officers are still in consultations."
Shava said police had recorded a warned and cautioned statement from Gorekore who is denying the murder allegations.
Those that are still behind bars over the same murder case are Tungamirai Madzokere, Yvonne Musarurwa, Rebecca Mafukeni, Last Maengahama and Simon Mapanzure.
The activists have been on trial at the High Court. Justice Chinembiri Bhunu is expected to deliver a ruling on their application for discharge on April 23 this year.
The matter failed to materialise after both the State and the defence agreed in Justice Bhunu's chambers to file written submissions before the court delivered judgment.
It was agreed that the defence would file its application this week, after which the State would respond to it to allow the court enough time to make a determination.
The activists, through their lawyers, indicated last month that the State had failed to prove a case against them after calling all the witnesses who gave evidence in court.
Mutedza's alleged murder prompted the arrest of 29 MDC-T activists, most of whom spent over a year in remand prison before their release on bail. Five accused are still in custody as their trial continues at the High Court.
Gorekore becomes the 30th MDC-T activist to be charged over Mutedza's death, whom the State alleges was murdered as he tried to stop an illegal party gathering in the suburb.
Gorekore's lawyer Obey Shava confirmed that he was still in police custody saying: "He has been formally charged with the murder of Mutedza. We are not yet sure when he will be taken to court as the officers are still in consultations."
Shava said police had recorded a warned and cautioned statement from Gorekore who is denying the murder allegations.
The activists have been on trial at the High Court. Justice Chinembiri Bhunu is expected to deliver a ruling on their application for discharge on April 23 this year.
The matter failed to materialise after both the State and the defence agreed in Justice Bhunu's chambers to file written submissions before the court delivered judgment.
It was agreed that the defence would file its application this week, after which the State would respond to it to allow the court enough time to make a determination.
The activists, through their lawyers, indicated last month that the State had failed to prove a case against them after calling all the witnesses who gave evidence in court.
Source - newsday
