Madzore application thrown out

Chief Court Reporter
Glen View South legislator Paul Madzore yesterday had his application to stop prosecution on a charge of assaulting a police officer in 2006 thrown out for lack of merit.
Madzore is accused of assaulting Detective Constable Everisto Maponga in Glen View in December 2006.
Through his lawyer Advocate Michael Majuru, Madzore had requested for a permanent stay of prosecution arguing that his right to a fair trial within a reasonable time infringed upon his rights in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

He said despite asserting his rights to be tried, the prosecution did not take any steps to ensure a speed trial as stipulated by the law.
But Mr Edmore Nyazamba from the Prosecutor-General’s Office dismissed the defence claims and blamed Madzore and his lawyers for the delays.

“The delays were of his own making,” said Mr Nyazamba who gave a litany of excuses that were given by his lawyers and the legislator in a bid to delay the trial. After hearing arguments from both parties’ counsel Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku threw out the application.
“The application is without merit. It is hereby dismissed with no order to legal costs,” said Chief Justice Chidyausiku.

It is alleged that Madzore assaulted Maponga, a member of the Criminal Investigation Department, who was on patrol in the suburb on December 14, 2006 at Makomva Shopping Centre.