News / National
Ex-minister's assault trial kicks off
11 Jan 2014 at 22:33hrs | Views
The trial of former minister of Housing Giles Mutsekwa, embattled Mutare mayor Tatenda Nhamarare, and two others who are facing assault charges kicked off Thursday with the accused pleading not guilty.
Mutsekwa, who was seconded by the MDC-T party as minister in the inclusive government and his co-accused, pleaded not guilty to the assault charge when they appeared before Mutare magistrate, Noah Gwatidzo.
They are accused of assaulting Ward 9 councillor Chrispen Dube in the run up to the July 31 2013 elections.
The other accused persons are Kingstone and Raphel Mutandi.
Charges against the four are that on June 7 2013 near Zesa's Megawatt building in Mutare ensured a heated misunderstanding with the complainant over his support of the other MDC-T candidate for Chikanga Dangamvura constituency, Arnold Tsunga, who subsequently won the seat in the harmonised elections.
The MDC-T fielded two candidates namely Mutsekwa and Tsunga and the latter went on to win with a wider margin.
In his testimony Dube alleged that on the fateful day at around 7 pm the accused pounced on him accusing him of siding with Tsunga as he was standing near the Zesa building.
Following the misunderstanding, Mutsekwa is alleged to have told his accomplices to 'deal' with the complainant.
Mutandi allegedly tripped and head -butted Dube once on the face.
Allegedly acting on the former minister's instructions, the three started to assault the complainant with fists and booted feet all over the body.
Dube claimed to have sustained cuts on the upper and lower lips, five shaking teeth, painful left elbow, painful left hip and a bruise on the inner right ankle.
The matter is expected to continue on January 14.
Mutsekwa, who was seconded by the MDC-T party as minister in the inclusive government and his co-accused, pleaded not guilty to the assault charge when they appeared before Mutare magistrate, Noah Gwatidzo.
They are accused of assaulting Ward 9 councillor Chrispen Dube in the run up to the July 31 2013 elections.
The other accused persons are Kingstone and Raphel Mutandi.
Charges against the four are that on June 7 2013 near Zesa's Megawatt building in Mutare ensured a heated misunderstanding with the complainant over his support of the other MDC-T candidate for Chikanga Dangamvura constituency, Arnold Tsunga, who subsequently won the seat in the harmonised elections.
The MDC-T fielded two candidates namely Mutsekwa and Tsunga and the latter went on to win with a wider margin.
In his testimony Dube alleged that on the fateful day at around 7 pm the accused pounced on him accusing him of siding with Tsunga as he was standing near the Zesa building.
Following the misunderstanding, Mutsekwa is alleged to have told his accomplices to 'deal' with the complainant.
Mutandi allegedly tripped and head -butted Dube once on the face.
Allegedly acting on the former minister's instructions, the three started to assault the complainant with fists and booted feet all over the body.
Dube claimed to have sustained cuts on the upper and lower lips, five shaking teeth, painful left elbow, painful left hip and a bruise on the inner right ankle.
The matter is expected to continue on January 14.
Source - zimmail
