Electoral Court hears four cases

Court Reporter
THE Electoral Court sitting in Bulawayo yesterday heard four political cases involving destruction of campaign posters and assault. Mr Crispen Mberewere, one of the magistrates selected by the Judicial Service Commission to preside over cases related to elections dealt with the cases at a special court set up in terms of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13).

Ivine Manyangadze (35) of Barbourfields, Mlamuli Mpofu (32) of Iminyela Flats, Nkosana Mlotshwa (38) of Pelandaba and Oswell Ruziwa (26) of Gwabalanda appeared separately before Mr Mberewere.

Manyangadze, Mpofu and Ruziwa were facing a charge of destroying a campaign poster while Mlotshwa was charged with assault.

Manyangadze, a push cart operator, pleaded not guilty to destroying posters belonging to Zanu-PF Bulawayo Central Constituency candidate, Cde Mlungisi Moyo.

He was convicted after full trial and fined $100 or 45 days in prison.

In addition, Manyangadze was sentenced to three months in prison, which were wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
In defence, he said the posters were destroyed by a vagrant.

Mpofu allegedly tore campaign posters belonging to Mr Sidingani Dube, an MDC council candidate for Ward 7 in Makokoba.
Mpofu pleaded guilty to the offence and was remanded to Monday for sentencing.

Mlotshw is an MDC-T member from Ward   13 and he allegedly  assaulted  a fellow party member   accusing him of supporting independent candidate, Mr Samuel Sandla Khumalo.

Mlotshwa allegedly assaulted Mr Eleck Siziba (59), of Iminyela Flats at a meeting meant to discuss the fate of defectors last week.
He would also be back in court on Monday.

The case involving Ruziwa was withdrawn before plea after the complainant Mr Kidwell Mujuru submitted an affidavit, saying he had apologised to him.

Ruziwa is aligned to Mr Reggie Moyo, who controversially won the ticket to represent MDC-T Luveve in the National Assembly elections ahead of Mr Mujuru.

According to court documents, Ruziwa, the district youth chairman for Luveve allegedly pulled down campaign posters belonging to Mr Mujuru while in the company of a group of MDC-T youths last week at night.

Mr Mujuru is standing as an independent candidate for the same constituency.

Mr   Jeremiah   Mutsindikwa   represented   the State.