News / National
Man in court for hitting Mugabe's portrait
25 Jun 2013 at 05:40hrs | Views
A Chiredzi man who was arrested for allegedly 'undermining' the authority of the President after hitting an image of Robert Mugabe, will stand trial this week. Regis Kandawasvika was arrested last October after he allegedly struck Mugabe's portrait in a bar.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) Kandawasvika was displaying frustration over failing to secure employment. He was charged with contravening the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act after he allegedly held Mugabe accountable for not being able to find work, despite his impressive academic achievements.
According to State prosecutors, Kandawasvika struck the Zanu-PF leader's portrait, which was hanging in Khomanani Bar in Tshovani high density suburb on 2nd October 2012, after protesting against his unemployment. The incident followed a verbal altercation with a security guard at the bar over political affiliation.
Kandawasvika reportedly said: "Ndiri kutambura nokuda kwehutongi hwezimudhara iri Robert Mugabe. Ndine masabhujekiti six pa "O" Level kasi handina basa rekuita. Handidi kana kumboriona zimudhara irori. Ikozvino gwendo runo riri kuenda kamwe chete", which the police translated to mean: "I am suffering because of the ruling of this old man Cde Robert Mugabe. I have six "O" level subjects but I have no job. I don't want to see this old man. This time he is going one way."
After making these comments, prosecutors claim that Kandawasvika then picked up bottle tops from the floor and threw them at Mugabe's portrait three times. He then hit the portrait with a pool cue. Kandawasvika is out of custody after he was granted $20 bail by a Chiredzi Magistrate on 31st October 2012.
His trial begins Tuesday in the Chiredzi Magistrates Court.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) Kandawasvika was displaying frustration over failing to secure employment. He was charged with contravening the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act after he allegedly held Mugabe accountable for not being able to find work, despite his impressive academic achievements.
According to State prosecutors, Kandawasvika struck the Zanu-PF leader's portrait, which was hanging in Khomanani Bar in Tshovani high density suburb on 2nd October 2012, after protesting against his unemployment. The incident followed a verbal altercation with a security guard at the bar over political affiliation.
After making these comments, prosecutors claim that Kandawasvika then picked up bottle tops from the floor and threw them at Mugabe's portrait three times. He then hit the portrait with a pool cue. Kandawasvika is out of custody after he was granted $20 bail by a Chiredzi Magistrate on 31st October 2012.
His trial begins Tuesday in the Chiredzi Magistrates Court.
Source - sw radio
