News / National
MDC-T 29' ruling, 21 acquitted
19 Sep 2013 at 12:15hrs | Views
21 of the 29 Glen View MDC-T activists accused of murdering Police Inspector Petros Mutedza on May 29 2011 have been acquitted.
Among those cleared of the murder charges are Memory Ncube, Solomon Madzore, Lovemore Magaya, Cynthia Manjoro, Kerina Gweshe, Abina Rutsito, Jephias Moyo and Simon Mapanzure.
Passing judgement at the High Court this afternoon, Justice Chinembiri Bhunu said the determination was based on the accused person's individual submissions of evidence to the court indicating that they were not linked to any activity that led to the death of Inspector Mutedza.
Justice Bhunu said the state had failed to prove a prima facie case against them.
"The state has failed to provide evidence against the accused relying on police informers who have failed to testify in court, hence the court finds the accused not guilty," said Justice Bhunu, passing his judgement on Augustine Tenganyika and Nyamadzawo Tafara.
However, seven of MDC- T activists were placed to their defense after Justice Bhunu said they 'had a case to answer' and postponed the matter indefinitely.
Among those to stand trial are brothers Lust and Lazarus Maingehama, Tungamirai Madzokere and Yvonne Musarurwa. Allegations against the activists arose on May 29, 2011 after they allegedly convened an unsanctioned youth meeting aimed at celebrating the party's 'T-shirt visibility day' at Glen View 1 Shopping Centre.
The State alleged that Inspector Mutedza was part of the reaction team that was assigned to disperse the MDC youths who were braaing and drinking beer at the shopping centre.
It is the State's case that Mutedza in the company of other police officers approached the activists and ordered them to disperse peacefully, to which the activists started shouting at the police officers.
It is alleged that the activists started throwing stones, empty bottles, steel stool frames and other missiles at the police officers.
The late Inspector Mutedza and his team tried to flee from the youths but they allegedly chased him and struck him with a brick.
He fell down and they allegedly kicked him all over the body until he fell unconscious.
Mutedza was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
MDC- T National Organising Secretary, Nelson Chamisa said although the party was celebrating the acquittal of the 21 activists, the case had proved that it was an offense to belong to any party besides Zanu (PF).
Chamisa said: "Our members have paid dearly for belonging to the MDC. It is like they have already served their jail term and yet they did not do anything."
He said the seven who remain vindicated are 'innocent and they are paying the price for being MDC activists'.
"Activism is a crime in Zimbabwe because these people are not criminals.
They are paying for their political affiliation," said Chamisa.
Among those cleared of the murder charges are Memory Ncube, Solomon Madzore, Lovemore Magaya, Cynthia Manjoro, Kerina Gweshe, Abina Rutsito, Jephias Moyo and Simon Mapanzure.
Passing judgement at the High Court this afternoon, Justice Chinembiri Bhunu said the determination was based on the accused person's individual submissions of evidence to the court indicating that they were not linked to any activity that led to the death of Inspector Mutedza.
Justice Bhunu said the state had failed to prove a prima facie case against them.
"The state has failed to provide evidence against the accused relying on police informers who have failed to testify in court, hence the court finds the accused not guilty," said Justice Bhunu, passing his judgement on Augustine Tenganyika and Nyamadzawo Tafara.
However, seven of MDC- T activists were placed to their defense after Justice Bhunu said they 'had a case to answer' and postponed the matter indefinitely.
Among those to stand trial are brothers Lust and Lazarus Maingehama, Tungamirai Madzokere and Yvonne Musarurwa. Allegations against the activists arose on May 29, 2011 after they allegedly convened an unsanctioned youth meeting aimed at celebrating the party's 'T-shirt visibility day' at Glen View 1 Shopping Centre.
The State alleged that Inspector Mutedza was part of the reaction team that was assigned to disperse the MDC youths who were braaing and drinking beer at the shopping centre.
It is the State's case that Mutedza in the company of other police officers approached the activists and ordered them to disperse peacefully, to which the activists started shouting at the police officers.
The late Inspector Mutedza and his team tried to flee from the youths but they allegedly chased him and struck him with a brick.
He fell down and they allegedly kicked him all over the body until he fell unconscious.
Mutedza was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
MDC- T National Organising Secretary, Nelson Chamisa said although the party was celebrating the acquittal of the 21 activists, the case had proved that it was an offense to belong to any party besides Zanu (PF).
Chamisa said: "Our members have paid dearly for belonging to the MDC. It is like they have already served their jail term and yet they did not do anything."
He said the seven who remain vindicated are 'innocent and they are paying the price for being MDC activists'.
"Activism is a crime in Zimbabwe because these people are not criminals.
They are paying for their political affiliation," said Chamisa.
Source - zimbabwean
