Zanu-PF official acquitted

ZANU-PF Member of Parliament for Gokwe-Kana Owen "Mudha" Ncube, who was facing charges of organising a group of party youths to perform acts of arson on his Kwekwe Central counterpart Masango Matambanadzo's property is now a free man after the matter was dismissed before plea by the court, Sunday News reported.

Ncube appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Ms Letwin Rwodzi for contravening Section 186 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 (intention to cause malicious damage to property).

Ms Rwodzi, however, dismissed the case before Ncube could give a plea after the State presented a weak argument and failed to provide empirical and substantial evidence to the allegations.

The State's case was that on 13 July this year at around 5.30pm Ncube drove his vehicle, a Toyota Hilux twin cab, to Amaveni Shopping Centre in Kwekwe where he met Mr Andrew Kumutitsa, Mr Unique Chidhuza and a group of Zanu-PF youths at an open space.

Ncube, the State alleges discouraged the youths from continuing to support and follow Matambanadzo, arguing that he lacked the qualities to be a Member of Parliament.

The State further alleged that Ncube told the youths that Matambanadzo was not going to retain his parliamentary seat in the next elections.

He is alleged to have mobilised the youths to burn down Matambanadzo's car, shop and house.

It was also alleged that Matambanadzo got a tip-off from one of the youths and drove his car towards Ncube's car and stopped him.

Matambanadzo, who was in the company of his bodyguard, Beden Mawire (26) and an unidentified accomplice, disembarked from his vehicle and confronted Ncube over the matter, the court was told.

Ncube is said to have lowered the window of his car and was punched on the face by Matambanadzo before his bodyguard joined in and assaulted him with fists.

The Gokwe-Kana legislator sustained a swollen left eye due to the assault.

Ncube proceeded to Amaveni Police Station where he reported the assault leading to Matambanadzo's arrest.

Matambanadzo, however, reported Ncube for criminal insult.

Meanwhile, Matambanadzo appeared before the same court for allegedly assaulting Ncube and the matter was remanded to Friday for continuation of trial. Ms Fiona Mukwena appeared for the State