Arrested MP's nine year ordeal for insulting Mugabe

MDC-T's Masvingo Central Member of Parliament Tongai Matatu has been dragged back to court for allegedly insulting President Mugabe.
His case has been in the courts since 2005 as the state has been failing to produce witnesses.
Matatu faces charges of contravening a section of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to Tuesday for continuation of trial.Appearing before Gweru Provincial Magistrate Phathekile Msipa, his lawyer Reginald Chidawanyika begged the court to acquit his client saying he had endured untold suffering since his initial arrest in 2005.
Chidawanyika argued that the state did not have a case and seemed bent on fixing Matatu by disrupting his life with endless inconclusive court appearances.
He said the court sessions were punitive because the Act under which Matatu was being charged was repealed in 2004, before his client made the alleged utterances.
He said there was no evidence that when his client made the alleged statements, he was referring to President Mugabe, as there were many Mugabes in the country.
Prosecuting Andrew Marimo said on 25 of July 2005 at Ferry Training centre, Zaka, insulted Mugabe at a rally.
Matatu allegedly said: "I've never seen a dog like Mugabe. Tsunamis have killed people. ZANU PF is not giving MDC supporters maize. We are too forgiving as a people to an extent that we are made to suffer. It's the government that people should rise against and not the government rising against the people".
The trial continues on Tuesday.End