News / National
CCC members in court after turning on each other in election fallout
15 Sep 2023 at 17:59hrs | Views
Six members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), including Members of the National Assembly Surrender Kapoikulu (Bulawayo Central) and Gift Ostallos Siziba (Pelandaba-Tshabalala), appeared in a Bulawayo court on Friday, facing a range of charges, which include defacing political posters and criminal insult.
Also present in the courtroom at West Commonage were Ward 20 councillor Simbarashe Dube, party members Lovewell Mwinde, Tendai Masocha, and former Ward 20 councillor Ernest Rafamoyo.
The charges against them include contraventions of Section 95 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23 for "Criminal Insult" and Section 153 (1) of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13 for "Defacing a political poster."
The complainant in this case is fellow CCC member Ms. Soneni Moyo, who had aspired to represent Pelandaba-Tshabalala Constituency, a seat ultimately won by Siziba.
Regarding the first charge of Criminal Insult on August 11, the State alleges that Kapoikulu, Rafamoyo, Masocha, Siziva, and Dube went to Ms. Moyo's residence in Nkulumane. They parked their vehicles at her gate and verbally insulted her, accusing her of being a traitor and engaging in prostitution.
Regarding the second charge of Defacing a Poster, Mwinde, Rafamoyo, Masocha, Siziva, and Dube are accused of removing campaign posters for Ms. Moyo on August 16. These posters were affixed to walls and Zesa pylons in the vicinity of Pelandaba Shops.
The case has been remanded by Magistrate Mr. Progress Murandu to September 29 for the commencement of their trial. Mr. Denmark Chihombe represented the State, while Mr. Tinashe Runganga represented the six accused individuals.
Also present in the courtroom at West Commonage were Ward 20 councillor Simbarashe Dube, party members Lovewell Mwinde, Tendai Masocha, and former Ward 20 councillor Ernest Rafamoyo.
The charges against them include contraventions of Section 95 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23 for "Criminal Insult" and Section 153 (1) of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13 for "Defacing a political poster."
Regarding the first charge of Criminal Insult on August 11, the State alleges that Kapoikulu, Rafamoyo, Masocha, Siziva, and Dube went to Ms. Moyo's residence in Nkulumane. They parked their vehicles at her gate and verbally insulted her, accusing her of being a traitor and engaging in prostitution.
Regarding the second charge of Defacing a Poster, Mwinde, Rafamoyo, Masocha, Siziva, and Dube are accused of removing campaign posters for Ms. Moyo on August 16. These posters were affixed to walls and Zesa pylons in the vicinity of Pelandaba Shops.
The case has been remanded by Magistrate Mr. Progress Murandu to September 29 for the commencement of their trial. Mr. Denmark Chihombe represented the State, while Mr. Tinashe Runganga represented the six accused individuals.
Source - The Chronicle
