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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
FIVE suspected MDC Alliance supporters allegedly assaulted a soldier in Kwekwe, accusing him of shooting and killing civilians on 1 August during skirmishes that broke after the party’s supporters protested, destroying property in Harare.
The five allegedly threatened to kill the soldier as payback for killing innocent civilians. Maphios Magora (30), Tawanda Magora (39), Owen Magwiramhaka (27), Rashid Phiri (24) and Daniel Nzveda (27) allegedly assaulted Witness Mpofu (26) accusing him of taking part in the 1 August shootings.
The five are all from Torwood in Redcliff while Mpofu is a soldier based at Pomona Barracks in Harare but resides in Torwood. Last week, Kwekwe magistrate Mr Tayengwa Sangster released the five on free bail and the case will proceed by way of summons.
Mr Freddy Ndoro, for the State said on 1 September at about 5pm, Mpofu was drinking beer near Torwood Supermarket.
Phiri, who was also drinking beer in the company of his co-accused, approached the complainant and accused him of restraining them from beating up his colleague who had broken an egg the previous day. Phiri started shouting at the soldier until the other four came to join him. They suddenly started poking him all over the body with fingers while some were punching him and slapping him.
The court heard that they also threatened to kill him to avenge “innocent souls that the soldiers killed” on 1 August. It took the intervention of vendors who were selling their wares nearby who restrained the five from continuing with the assault. Mpofu then filed a police report and the gang was arrested last week.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter