adminThe duo, through their lawyer, Mr Tinofara Hove of T.K Hove and Partners, pleaded not guilty to the charges when the trial began before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mrs Lucie-Anne Mungwari.
Allegations are that they received the cattle from Mr John Chirimambowa of Farm 39, Middle Sabi in Chipinge which they did not hand over to the party. Mr Hove, in his defence outline, maintained that his clients, who are on US$150 bail each, are innocent.
He said the fictitious allegations raised against them were a result of political persecution revolving around factionalism in the Zanu-PF provincial structures in Manicaland.
Area public prosecutor, Ms Jane Rose Matsikidze, called on Presidential Affairs Minister, Cde Didymus Mutasa as the first State witness. He testified in his capacity as Zanu-PF’s national secretary for administration.
In his testimony, Cde Mutasa said the duo erred by not disclosing the cattle to the party as well as slaughtering three of the beasts for an event other than the 21st Movement celebrations for which they were meant.
He said the party expects accountability and Madiro, as the provincial chairman, must have disclosed everything that had been bought or donated towards the celebrations including the balance which the party normally donates to charity.
“If those cattle were secured for the 21st February celebrations and they ended up being used for another function without the party’s knowledge that is an offence. As the national secretary for administration I should have been told of these developments,” he said.
Cde Mutasa dispelled assertions by the defence lawyer that all this revolved around political persecution.
“That is not correct. They (Madiro and Mabika) did wrong and that is why we are in court. They are all my friends and I believe we are friends,” he said.
The State also called Zanu-PF national youth league chairman Cde Absolom Sikhosana as well as businessman and politician Supa Mandiwanzira.
“The defence will maintain that this is a case of political persecution whereby the State is being abused and used to persecute the accused. This has nothing to do with the administration of justice. A perusal of the State outline together with the state witnesses clearly shows that the essential elements of stock theft have not been specifically alleged, let alone established.
“As of now, the said cattle are still at the said farm. Therefore, if anyone stole the cattle, it should be John Chirimambowa since the cattle are at his farm and they have always been at his farm,” said Mr Hove
The case continues today with the State calling more witnesses.
Online Reporter