Kunaka fails to appear in court

representative Gwezuva Changamire had their application granted yesterday by Harare magistrate Ms Nomsa Sabarauta.
This came after Cde Kunaka who is the key witness and complainant failed to attend court and told prosecutor Ms Patience Chimusaru that he was having a haircut in a barber shop.
Earlier, the two’s legal representative Mr Augustine Chizikani said the State was attempting to conduct investigations during the trial.
“The State was saying Jimu Kunaka is Mr Chipangano who strives on terror when they are depriving civilians of freedom,” he said.
“That was the first thing they were supposed to do before setting a trial date.”
Ms Chimusaru said the State contacted Cde Kunaka to check if the Mbare Residents Committee existed and if it was registered.
“Today we called him and he said he was in a barber shop and could not attend court. Later on, his phone was switched off,” Ms Chimusaru said.
“Recently, we called him and his phone was switched off, implying he takes personal business first and court business does not take precedence to him. He was supposed to clarify some issues since he is the informant and complainant in the case.”
Ms Chimusaru alleged that Cde Kunaka was the chairman of Mbare Residents Committee, a body that represents the concerns of all residents on social issues in Mbare.
She alleged that sometime in January, Mashwede Diesel Services (Pvt) Ltd was allocated a stand at the corner of Harare Street and Cripps Road to build a service station.
The allocation, the court heard, angered local residents who had previously applied for the same property, but were denied on the basis that it was an area for expansion of Matapi police station.
Residents, it is alleged, demonstrated against the decision resulting in the City of Harare ordering Maribha and Changamire to stop the intended developments.
Ms Chimusaru said on June 25, Cde Kunaka was approached by Shepherd Hwande also known as Gunpowder who was acting on behalf of the duo.
Hwande asked Cde Kunaka to use his influence and convince local residents not to demonstrate against the development of the area, the court was told.
Hwande, the court heard, offered Cde Kunaka US$15 000 which he said was from Maribha and Changamire.
Afterwards the duo allegedly called Cde Kunaka and asked to meet him at Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Cde Kunaka filed a police report and a trap was set. Maribha and Changamire were immediately arrested after giving Kunaka US$5 000.