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'Mangoma 'attacker' a flight risk'
12 Mar 2014 at 10:31hrs | Views
One of the suspects arraigned for allegedly attacking MDC deputy treasurer Elton Mangoma attempted to flee from police, a Harare magistrate heard yesterday.
Paul Gorekore first appeared before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe last week after days of evading police.
This followed the arrest of five of his alleged accomplices on the same charge.
Gorekore is jointly charged with Francis Mafimbidzofa, 38, Enock Mukudu, 31, Stefani Tafadzwa Jahwi, 36, Samson Tumai Nerwande, 41, who were released on $100 bail, and James Chidhakwa, who has been denied bail.
During his bail application yesterday, the investigating officer Shadreck Rego said Gorekore was a flight risk because he fled from police.
"Accused person is likely to abscond court proceedings considering that he was on the run for a couple of days and ran away from a detective on the day of his arrest, only to be apprehended by members of the public," Rego said.
"When his accomplices handed themselves over to the police, his lawyer Douglas Mwonzora called him and he responded; "mudhara handisi kuuya ikoko munoda kutichekeresa" (I am not presenting myself to the police)."
Rego said Gorekore was likely to face another charge of perjury.
"He also has pending cases of murder and public violence, and is likely to face a further charge of giving false information to the police after he lied about his residential address and other important information," Rego said.
In his defence, Gorekore claims he could not go to the police station in time because he had visited Population Services in Mbare due to a medical condition. He said he intended to surrender himself to the police on the day he was coincidentally arrested.
State prosecutor Sharon Mashavira is opposing bail on the basis that Gorekore is of no fixed abode and is likely to interfere with witnesses at Harvest House if released on bail.
Mashavira alleged that on February 15, Gorekore, Mafimbidzofa, Mukudu, Jahwi, Nerwande, Chidhakwa and others who are still at large, reportedly waylaid Mangoma outside Harvest House and assaulted him using open hands and clenched fists.
Mangoma's spectacles valued at $300 were damaged in the attack.
It is the State's case that accused persons also tore Mangoma's shirt before he was whisked away in opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's vehicle.
A medical affidavit produced in court states that Mangoma sustained moderate injuries and there was no likelihood of permanent injuries.
Magistrate Mahwe rules on the application today.
Paul Gorekore first appeared before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe last week after days of evading police.
This followed the arrest of five of his alleged accomplices on the same charge.
Gorekore is jointly charged with Francis Mafimbidzofa, 38, Enock Mukudu, 31, Stefani Tafadzwa Jahwi, 36, Samson Tumai Nerwande, 41, who were released on $100 bail, and James Chidhakwa, who has been denied bail.
During his bail application yesterday, the investigating officer Shadreck Rego said Gorekore was a flight risk because he fled from police.
"Accused person is likely to abscond court proceedings considering that he was on the run for a couple of days and ran away from a detective on the day of his arrest, only to be apprehended by members of the public," Rego said.
"When his accomplices handed themselves over to the police, his lawyer Douglas Mwonzora called him and he responded; "mudhara handisi kuuya ikoko munoda kutichekeresa" (I am not presenting myself to the police)."
Rego said Gorekore was likely to face another charge of perjury.
In his defence, Gorekore claims he could not go to the police station in time because he had visited Population Services in Mbare due to a medical condition. He said he intended to surrender himself to the police on the day he was coincidentally arrested.
State prosecutor Sharon Mashavira is opposing bail on the basis that Gorekore is of no fixed abode and is likely to interfere with witnesses at Harvest House if released on bail.
Mashavira alleged that on February 15, Gorekore, Mafimbidzofa, Mukudu, Jahwi, Nerwande, Chidhakwa and others who are still at large, reportedly waylaid Mangoma outside Harvest House and assaulted him using open hands and clenched fists.
Mangoma's spectacles valued at $300 were damaged in the attack.
It is the State's case that accused persons also tore Mangoma's shirt before he was whisked away in opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's vehicle.
A medical affidavit produced in court states that Mangoma sustained moderate injuries and there was no likelihood of permanent injuries.
Magistrate Mahwe rules on the application today.
Source - dailynews
