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Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has withdrawn from representing Bulawayo South Constituency losing independent candidate in last year’s harmonised elections, Josphat “Mzaca” Ngulube who is among 11 other suspects accused of fanning and taking part in the violence that rocked the country in January this year.
Ngulube told Sunday News that the lawyers had dumped him citing financial constraints.
“ZLHR has dumped us at the last minute, it is withdrawing lawyers who were representing us on this case of three Zanu-PF cars that were burnt and public violence. We were just told in court that they have run out of funding,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from the ZLHR were fruitless.
Ngulube (34) has been on trial since February this year. He and his co-accused are suspected to have burnt three cars; destroying a precast wall and breaking several window panes of a house belonging to Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial Women’s League chairperson, Cde Eva Bitu.
The other suspects are popular former entertainment promoter, Marshal Mpofu (37), Esther Mbewe (53), Fortune Masuku (29), Melusi Moyo (32), Lavenda Moyo (66), Thabisani Ngwenya (32), Otilia Sibanda (34), Angeline Mwemba (41), Minenhle Mahlangu (28), Mwale Chifufu (34) and Duduzile Amisi (39).
According to the State’s case, on 14 January at about 7am, the accused persons, acting in connivance with 100 others, unlawfully blocked free movement of traffic at an intersection along Sizinda Road and Nketa Drive. They allegedly engaged in acts of violence. They went to Cde Bitu’s residence and threw stones and destroyed a precast wall to gain access to the yard.
They destroyed window panes before torching her three cars, a Ford Ranger, Nissan NP 300 and a Toyota Vitz.
The court heard that the accused persons proceeded to Tshabalala Housing Office and clinic where they allegedly stoned the buildings. The matter has since been postponed to 10 May, where witnesses are expected to testify.
@peterkmatika
Online Reporter