Mangoma case: Suspect denied bail

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter—
AN MDC-T youth leader James Chidhakwa, arrested on allegations of assaulting the party’s deputy treasurer-general Mr Elton Mangoma, appeared in court yesterday and was denied bail. Chidhakwa, an MDC-T secretary for security and defence in the youth assembly, allegedly assaulted Mr Mangoma at Harvest House about a fortnight ago. Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe remanded Chidhakwa in custody to March 10 after the Prosecutor Mr Tungamirai Chakurira opposed bail.

Mr Mahwe said the State has a strong case against Chidhakwa.

“The offence occurred in broad day light hence there are witnesses to testify. His moral blameworthiness is high considering that he is a high ranking MDC-T official. This is a case of political violence and if accused is convicted, he is likely to face a prison term therefore it would not be in the interest of justice to release him on bail,” he said.

In opposing bail, Mr Chakurira said: “This is a very serious offence because it has taken a political dimension. The people have spoken through the Constitution castigating political violence of any nature notwithstanding the political affiliation of the perpetrators.

“These courts are no exception and they should join the society in discouraging political violence hence to release this accused on bail at this stage would be to condone his acts contrary to the spirit of the new Constitution.”

Through his lawyer Chidhakwa argued that he was a proper candidate for bail. He said the offence was not serious and denied beating Mangoma.

Chidhakwa said he could not run away from such a weak case.
It is the State’s case that Chidhakwa punched and slapped Mr Mangoma all over his body at the party headquarters.

Mangoma bled from the nose, his shirt was torn and his spectacles worth US$300 were damaged.
He was later whisked away in Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s vehicle.