News / National
CCC candidate, activists denied bail
13 Sep 2023 at 18:58hrs | Views
Patrick Cheza, the Chirumanzu South candidate for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), and four party activists accused of assaulting Tourism minister Barbara Rwodzi were denied bail by Gweru magistrate Tendai Mahwe.
Cheza (50) is facing charges of incitement to public violence, along with Elias Maduveko (26), Magmaster Chidyawuye (21), Delight Zinyemba (22), and Courage Mugova (20).
Magistrate Mahwe justified the denial of bail by stating that the accused individuals were not suitable candidates for bail since they had the potential to commit a similar offense, especially considering they had another pending case. Their trial is scheduled for September 26.
The incident allegedly occurred when Cheza incited CCC members to assault Rwodzi after his vehicle was involved in a collision with the minister's car.
The lawyers representing the CCC members, Esau Mandipa and Leopold Mudisi, had requested that Mkoba North MP Amos Chibaya testify as a witness. During cross-examination, Chibaya stated that he had seen Rwodzi in Harare at the swearing-in ceremony of the 10th Parliament, where she appeared to be in good health and high spirits, without any signs of injury.
However, Magistrate Mahwe rejected the application, citing the lack of medical evidence regarding the minister's fitness.
The defense counsel indicated that they would promptly file a bail application with the High Court. Taurai Mavuto served as the prosecutor.
Cheza (50) is facing charges of incitement to public violence, along with Elias Maduveko (26), Magmaster Chidyawuye (21), Delight Zinyemba (22), and Courage Mugova (20).
Magistrate Mahwe justified the denial of bail by stating that the accused individuals were not suitable candidates for bail since they had the potential to commit a similar offense, especially considering they had another pending case. Their trial is scheduled for September 26.
The lawyers representing the CCC members, Esau Mandipa and Leopold Mudisi, had requested that Mkoba North MP Amos Chibaya testify as a witness. During cross-examination, Chibaya stated that he had seen Rwodzi in Harare at the swearing-in ceremony of the 10th Parliament, where she appeared to be in good health and high spirits, without any signs of injury.
However, Magistrate Mahwe rejected the application, citing the lack of medical evidence regarding the minister's fitness.
The defense counsel indicated that they would promptly file a bail application with the High Court. Taurai Mavuto served as the prosecutor.
Source - newsday
