News / National
Jabulani Sibanda appears in court facing charges of insulting Mugabe
02 Dec 2014 at 06:26hrs | Views
Former war veterans chairman Jabulani Sibanda (centre) escorted by police detectives as he arrives at the Harare Magistrate Courts yesterday. - (Picture by Lee Maidza)
Former chairman of the Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association, Jabulani Sibanda has appeared in court facing charges of insulting the President.
The 56 year old is being charged with contravening section 33 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.
Sibanda is alleged to have insulted the President Robert Mugabe in Manicaland Province while addressing an illegal gathering of war veterans.
He is alleged to have said the President and his wife were plotting a bedroom or boardroom coup to remove Vice President Joice Mujuru from her current positions in Zanu-PF and government and replace her with his wife, Dr Grace Mugabe.
The ousted war veterans leader is understood to have said power is not sexually transmitted.
When Sibanda appeared in court, his defence council, Mr Sobuza Gula Ndebele challenged the court's jurisdiction and argued that his client must not be tried in Harare.
However, the state called the investigating officer, Chief Superintendent Luxon Mukazhi, who revealed that the accused had consented to being tried in the capital.
Mr Gula Ndebele said his client does not understand the legal aspects as he is a lay man, arguing that the matter must be taken to Bulawayo.
The state lead by Mr Jonathan Murombedzi and Mr Oliver Mabwe indicated that the state has no problem with transferring the matter to Manicaland where the offence was committed, a decision which the defence council viewed as punishment.
Mr Gula Ndebele later on apologised to the court for delaying the proceedings and agreed the matter to continue in Harare.
He said the court was being hostile after the presiding magistrate, Mr Douglas Chikwekwe warned the defence about their change of goal posts, which he said was tantamount to shopping of courts.
However, Mr Chikwekwe advised Mr Gula Ndebele to apologise for having labelled the court hostile.
The court adjourned to Tuesday where there is a possibility that the defence will make a bail application.
The 56 year old is being charged with contravening section 33 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.
Sibanda is alleged to have insulted the President Robert Mugabe in Manicaland Province while addressing an illegal gathering of war veterans.
He is alleged to have said the President and his wife were plotting a bedroom or boardroom coup to remove Vice President Joice Mujuru from her current positions in Zanu-PF and government and replace her with his wife, Dr Grace Mugabe.
The ousted war veterans leader is understood to have said power is not sexually transmitted.
When Sibanda appeared in court, his defence council, Mr Sobuza Gula Ndebele challenged the court's jurisdiction and argued that his client must not be tried in Harare.
Mr Gula Ndebele said his client does not understand the legal aspects as he is a lay man, arguing that the matter must be taken to Bulawayo.
The state lead by Mr Jonathan Murombedzi and Mr Oliver Mabwe indicated that the state has no problem with transferring the matter to Manicaland where the offence was committed, a decision which the defence council viewed as punishment.
Mr Gula Ndebele later on apologised to the court for delaying the proceedings and agreed the matter to continue in Harare.
He said the court was being hostile after the presiding magistrate, Mr Douglas Chikwekwe warned the defence about their change of goal posts, which he said was tantamount to shopping of courts.
However, Mr Chikwekwe advised Mr Gula Ndebele to apologise for having labelled the court hostile.
The court adjourned to Tuesday where there is a possibility that the defence will make a bail application.
Source - zbc
