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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
The 19 suspected MDC-T activists accused of impersonating public officials were yesterday acquitted. The activists were charged with violating Section 179 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act but Harare magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, acquitted them at the close of the State’s case.
The officials are; Maxwell Tosvo (35), Martha Makuwatsine (52), Moudy Mukarati (49), Livingstone Gatsi (39), Pharoah Kapfunde (41), Innocent Mutukwa (23), Clever Bondera (36), Rebecca Muzire (42), Maclaren Kapwanya (27), Cairo Kapwanya (27), Bigboy Kadungure (36), Betty Ticharwa (53), Gladys Muzerengwa (43), Beauty Billiate (51), Angeline Mhokore (55), Memory Bechani (45), Lovemore Tsoko (21), Antonette Mapfumo (42) and Tracy Maponde (64).
Mr Mahwe said the witnesses’ evidence was full of inconsistencies and during cross examination the key witness was not resolute on his testimony.
“Therefore the accused cannot be placed on their defence, they are acquitted at the close of the State’s case,” he said.
Prosecutor Mr George Manokore alleged that between April 18 and 25, the accused persons, who are not employees of any Government department, went to Hatcliffe purporting to be conducting a voter registration and verification exercise. They were allegedly wearing golf T-shirts inscribed “Ministry of Home Affairs” and caps with a government logo and had copies of the voters’ roll.
It is further alleged that they then divided themselves into three groups led by Tosvo, Mukarati and Makuwatsine and moved from door-to-door in the high-density suburb checking if the residents’ names appeared on the voters’ roll and ordering those whose names they could not find to go and register.
On April 25, police received a tip-off about their activities and pounced on the suspects who later allegedly admitted to being members of the MDC-T. The group allegedly claimed they were acting in connivance with the party’s co-ordinator for Hatcliffe Ward 42, Sipelile Dzimati.
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