adminMidlands Correspondent
Four Zanu-PF activists who invaded CMED boss Davison Mhaka’s farm on the outskirts of Gweru and later threatened to beat up police officers who tried to drive them out were on Friday convicted of unlawful occupation and resisting arrest by peace officers by Gweru provincial magistrate Pathekile Msipa.
The case was prosecuted by Chinhoyi area prosecutor Herald Matura after local prosecutors recused themselves from the matter.
The quartet, Gibson Nyere, 39, Martha Koki, 40, Veleni Siziba, 47, and Togarepi Masuva (age not given) had pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Msipa, however, found the four guilty of the offence and sentenced them to a wholly suspended six months in prison. Two months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The other two months were suspended on condition that they vacate the farm upon release from custody.
The remaining two months were suspended on condition that they pay $200 fine.
Prosecuting, Matura told the court that in 2011 the four invaded Mhaka’s farm and erected huts. They refused to vacate the farm despite several efforts by Mhaka to evict them.
Matura said on January 7, 2014, police officers from Gweru Rural Police Station visited the farm and tried to arrest the four but they resisted arrest and fled.
The four were raided on a later date and were arrested.
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