MDC-T activist convicted of political violence

An MDC-T activist from Lupane has been sentenced to 350 hours of community service for political violence following an attack on a group of Zanu-PF supporters in the run-up to the June 2008 presidential runoff election.

Robert Tshuma (60), who was the MDC-T chairman of a local ward at the time, had pleaded not guilty to political violence, but was last week convicted by Lupane magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba.

His co-accused, Victor Nyoni, from the same area, was found not guilty and acquitted due to lack of evidence.

The two were being represented by Lison Ncube of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Tshuma and Nyoni were initially charged together with Cetshwayo Ncube, Lungisani Ndlovu, Jokona Mpofu, Kara Sibanda, John Ngwabi and Edgar Ncube, who were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Initial allegations were that Tshuma and his accomplices attacked the Zanu PF activists as they came from a meeting in the district.

As a result of the attack, two Zanu-PF supporters sustained serious injuries while an unspecified number suffered minor injuries.

Tshuma was sentenced to 10 months in jail which was wholly suspended on condition he performed 350 hours of community service at Gomoza Primary School.

He also had an additional six months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

In December last year, Tshuma told the court he and his group attacked members of Zanu-PF in self-defence as they were victims of violence by war veterans and the rival party.

Comments