D-day for MDC-T youths

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
A Harare magistrate will today rule on the bail application by four MDC-T members accused of assaulting party deputy treasurer-general Mr Elton Mangoma.
Francis Machimbidzofa (38), Enock Mukudu (31), Stefani Jahwi (36) and Samson Nerwande (41), all charged with assault, have been in custody since Wednesday last week.
Nerwande faces an additional charge of public violence for allegedly assaulting Angirayi Moyowatidi, whom he accused of supporting Mr Mangoma who allegedly wants to topple party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai. In opposing bail, prosecutor Miss Sharon Mashavira said it would be in the interest of justice to remand the accused in custody pending trial.

“This is not just a case of mere violence, it is political. It is not in dispute that the accused persons were present at the scene when the offence was committed. The State does not intend to do pre-trial incarceration, but the State is of the view that they should be remanded in custody,” she said.

Miss Mashavira told the court that a video clip produced by the defence purportedly proving the accused were innocent was irrelevant since it did not show the part when Mr Mangoma was assaulted. She added that the footage was of poor quality.

Supporting the State, investigating officer Detective Sergeant Shadreck Rego said: “Your Worship, the issue of the video is completely out. The picture quality is poor such that you cannot even see the faces of the assailants.”