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Manicaland Bureau
FORMER Mutare North Zanu-PF Member of Parliament Batsirai Pemhenayi, who was last week jailed four months for assaulting party members, has been freed.
Pemhenhayi was freed on bail pending appeal against his conviction and sentence.
He was convicted by Mutare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe, who had initially jailed him for six months, before setting aside two months of his term.
The two months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Pemhenayi was standing accused of assaulting Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman and Deputy Home Affairs Mnister Michael Madiro’s personal assistant, Cde Wilson Nyamande, during the party’s primary elections sometime last year.
Pemhenayi was also contesting in the primary elections which were subsequently won by Cde Madiro.
He was jailed along with Wellington Magarasadza (32), Gilbert Chinyaunzore (35) and Claudious Matule (29).
Prosecutor Mr Brian Goto said on April 30 last year, Pemhenayi proceeded to Odzi Police Station to oversee the distribution of ballot papers to various polling stations during the Zanu-PF primary elections.
Upon arrival at the police station, Pemhenayi reportedly approached Magarasadza who gave him the list.
Pemhenayi allegedly became furious, accusing Cde Nyamande of tempering with the list.
He started assaulting Cde Nyamande on the chest before Magarasadza, Chinyaunzore and Matule joined in.
The quartet was arrested and taken to court where they were convicted.
Online Reporter