News / National
Gwisai, state witness not a policeman
07 Nov 2011 at 22:30hrs | Views
THE state media reports that the star-witness in the case of former Highfield legislator Munyaradzi Gwisai and five others accused of inciting violence is allegedly not a policeman.
Gwisai, who is a University of Zimbabwe law lecturer, is jointly charged with Antoneta Choto (36), Tatenda Mombeyarara (29), Edson Chakuma (38), Hopewell Gumbo (32) and Welcome Zimuto (25).
During cross-examination, the six's defence team Mr Alec Muchadehama assisted by Mr Marufu Mandevere presented evidence before the court, which they relied on to convince the court that Detective Sergeant Jonathan Shoko was not a policemen.
The defence argues said he is a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation.
Mr Muchadehama further told the court that Det Sgt Shoko's real name is Rodwell Chitiyo.
He further produced photocopied documents bearing the name of Rodwell Chitiyo, which included a birth certificate, national identity, his facebook extracts and a passport.
He also produced photos including a school group photo, which he said, was taken at St Faith High School in Rusape.
He handed over the documents to Det Sgt Shoko for him to confirm whether it was him or not.
"I indicated from the beginning that my name is Jonathan Shoko probably this Rodwell Chitiyo is my look alike.
"I do not dispute that the person on the photos has my features but he does not look like me and to set the record straight, I do not have a passport he replied," he replied.
Mr Muchadehama told the court that he was puzzled by the coincidence that the face on the documents and on the pictures was similar to that of Det Sgt Shoko's.
He also said he was shocked by the fact that Det Sgt Shoko's date of birth tallied with that of Rodwell Chitiyo's.
Mr Muchadehama asked Det Sgt Shoko to produce his national identity card but he told the court he had left it at home together with his police card, which he had earlier produced in court during the initial stages of the cross-examination.
Mr Muchadehama reminded Det Sgt Shoko that he was under oath to which he said was aware.
"The reason why I went through all this is because you are not Jonathan Shoko but you are Rodwell Chitiyo.
"Further to that you are not a police officer but a member of the CIO and you went to the meeting not as a member of the police force but to investigate as part of the CIO's covert operations against innocent members of the public.
"You are a CIO and that is why you disguised your identity," he said.
Det Sgt Shoko disputed the allegations maintaining that he was a member of the police force. Magistrate Mr Kudakwashe Jarabini deferred the case to November 29.
Mr Edmore Nyazamba appeared for the State.
Gwisai, who is a University of Zimbabwe law lecturer, is jointly charged with Antoneta Choto (36), Tatenda Mombeyarara (29), Edson Chakuma (38), Hopewell Gumbo (32) and Welcome Zimuto (25).
During cross-examination, the six's defence team Mr Alec Muchadehama assisted by Mr Marufu Mandevere presented evidence before the court, which they relied on to convince the court that Detective Sergeant Jonathan Shoko was not a policemen.
The defence argues said he is a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation.
Mr Muchadehama further told the court that Det Sgt Shoko's real name is Rodwell Chitiyo.
He further produced photocopied documents bearing the name of Rodwell Chitiyo, which included a birth certificate, national identity, his facebook extracts and a passport.
He also produced photos including a school group photo, which he said, was taken at St Faith High School in Rusape.
He handed over the documents to Det Sgt Shoko for him to confirm whether it was him or not.
"I indicated from the beginning that my name is Jonathan Shoko probably this Rodwell Chitiyo is my look alike.
"I do not dispute that the person on the photos has my features but he does not look like me and to set the record straight, I do not have a passport he replied," he replied.
He also said he was shocked by the fact that Det Sgt Shoko's date of birth tallied with that of Rodwell Chitiyo's.
Mr Muchadehama asked Det Sgt Shoko to produce his national identity card but he told the court he had left it at home together with his police card, which he had earlier produced in court during the initial stages of the cross-examination.
Mr Muchadehama reminded Det Sgt Shoko that he was under oath to which he said was aware.
"The reason why I went through all this is because you are not Jonathan Shoko but you are Rodwell Chitiyo.
"Further to that you are not a police officer but a member of the CIO and you went to the meeting not as a member of the police force but to investigate as part of the CIO's covert operations against innocent members of the public.
"You are a CIO and that is why you disguised your identity," he said.
Det Sgt Shoko disputed the allegations maintaining that he was a member of the police force. Magistrate Mr Kudakwashe Jarabini deferred the case to November 29.
Mr Edmore Nyazamba appeared for the State.
Source - TH
