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Prosper Dembedza Court Correspondent
THE trial of an Alphja-laah Mosque congregant accused of assaulting a fellow worshipper over control of the church’s car park continued yesterday with the later accusing the former of being a racist.
Patel Ayub (43) of Pecyfin Road in Belvedere, Harare, is facing assault charges.
During cross examination by prosecutor Ms Gayton Vhiriri, Salamu Ajuma told the court that Ayub was in the habit of making racial insults towards him.
“Everytime I pass through, he spits on the ground,” he said.
Ajuma told the court that Ayub once shouted at him saying “mosques were not farms that we have taken over”.
“He once shouted at me saying this is not a farm but a mosque. You have taken over farms and you cannot do the same on mosques,” Ajuma said.
Ayub, who is out on free bail, is denying the charge saying Ajuma was only fighting to tarnish his image.
The trial continues today.
Allegations are that on February 19, Ajuma was at Alphja-laah Mosque located at No. 35 Princes Road, Belvedere, attending a church service and Ayub was also in attendance.
The court heard that Ajuma saw Ayub removing barrier tapes and drums which control the efficient movement of people and traffic at the mosque.
It is alleged that Ajuma went to reposition the drums and tapes since it was his responsibility to control the smooth movement of traffic at the mosque.
The court heard that Ayub charged towards Ajuma and punched him on the chest while shouting racial insults.
It is alleged that Ayub pushed Ajuma to the ground, resulting in him hitting on the hard surface and sustaining an injury on the elbow.
Online Reporter