MDC-T leader jailed for assaulting Zanu-PF official

between the two dating back to the 2008 harmonised elections.
Masvingo provincial magistrate Mr Oliver Mudzongachiso jailed Gutu West MDC-T organising secretary Johane Chikwava (45) to one month behind bars or alternatively US$200 fine after convicting him of assaulting Cde Elias Nhatare, resulting in him sustaining a broken arm.
Cde Nhatare was the Zanu-PF Gutu district secretary for security in the disbanded district co-ordinating committee.
Chikwava, who was being represented by Mr Martin Mureri of Matutu, Kwirira and Associates, denied the assault charges, but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.
In his defence, Chikwava argued that he was the one assaulted by Cde Nhatare for wearing his party’s t-shirt at a funeral in their village on 23 June.
The State proved that Chikwava approached Cde Nhatare at his homestead in Shashe resettlement area on the date and found him milking a cow.
He started accusing Cde Nhatare of masterminding his alleged assault by unknown people in the run up to the 2008 harmonised polls. Chikwava told Cde Nhatare that he had come to avenge the 2008 assault.
In a fit of rage, Chikwava picked up a log and struck Cde Nhatare, resulting in him sustaining a broken arm.
A report was made at Eastdale police base in the area leading to Chikwava’s arrest.
Ms Tinaye Matenga appeared for the State.
Meanwhile, MDC-T Zaka North legislator Enerst Mudavanhu who was last week arrested for allegedly insulting a policeman and driving through a red traffic light, did not appear in court yesterday after the policemanr investigating the case failed to turn up.
Mudavanhu’s lawyer, Mr Mureri, said his client failed to appear after the investigating officer in the case failed to attend court.
Mudavanhu spent last weekend in police cells after he allegedly insulted a policeman and drove through red traffic lights in the Masvingo central business district.
Mr Tinaye Matenga prosecuted.