Zanu-PF leader issued with a warrant of arrest

Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzi has issued an arrest warrant for Zanu-PF Masvingo youth chairperson Delight Mandebvu after he failed to appear in court today.

Mandebvu faces three assault charges related to an incident where he allegedly assaulted prominent Masvingo lawyer and former mayor Collen Maboke, his wife Tariro, and a relative, Simbarashe Matyei, following a vehicle sideswipe along the Masvingo-Bikita road on March 3, 2024.

Prosecutor Godknows Mugondo requested the warrant due to Mandebvu's absence and lack of communication with the court.

An arrest warrant authorizes a police officer to detain a person and bring them before the court.

The Mirror has obtained a letter dated May 27, 2024, from Mandebvu's lawyers, Machaya and Associates, informing the prosecutor that Mandebvu is in South Africa as part of a Zanu-PF youth delegation supporting the African National Congress (ANC) election campaign in the upcoming national elections.

The letter explains that Mandebvu is engaged in national duty in South Africa as a member of the Zanu-PF youth league observer team and requests a postponement of the court date to any time in June. It proposes June 10, 2024, as the new trial date.

Mandebvu appeared in court last Tuesday on crutches with a plaster on his left leg. However, video footage of him dancing and participating in ANC activities last week has surfaced online.

Initially, Mandebvu appeared in court two weeks ago, claiming that Maboke had run him over, resulting in his inability to walk. He also stated that he needed time to find a lawyer outside the province, as local lawyers were avoiding his case.

Mandebvu returned to court last Tuesday, requesting an additional week to secure legal representation.