Prosecutor recuses self from case

thousands of dollars.
Makaika Milanzi, Antony Kumbula, Asani Chikwanda, Tendai Jongwe, Crispen Sibanda and Stephen Zimowa were yesterday back in court charged with the illegal possession of a gun, which they reportedly stole from a policeman guarding the minister’s residence.
Zimowa pleaded with the court for the prosecutor Mr Michael Reza to recuse himself because he was the one who prosecuted them on charges of robbing the Mushonga residence.
They were convicted and sentenced to a total of 108 years.
Mr Reza said he had no objections and the matter was deferred to Thursday next week.
The State alleges that on June 18, 2009, the six who were armed went to Number 2 Crockley Lane in Mt Pleasant, which was the residence of Minister Mushonga.
The house was guarded by Constable Tirivacho Midzi who was armed with an AK 47 riffle.
The six allegedly disarmed Const Midzi and made off with the rifle after severely assaulting the minister’s husband Dr Christopher Mushonga who later died.
When they were arrested, it is alleged, the six led police to the recovery of the rifle in Chinhamhora communal lands where it was hidden under a bridge.
Zimowa (37), Asani Chikwanda (30) and Sibanda (51) were convicted on armed robbery charges by regional magistrate Mr William Bhila while Kumbula (31) and Jongwe (38) were acquitted because of lack of incriminating evidence.
On the count of robbing the Mushonga house, the three were jailed 12 years each and a further 60 years each for the other five counts. Three of the counts for each of the trio will run concurrently, leaving them to serve an effective 36 years each.
Milanzi (34) was acquitted of robbing the Mushongas but convicted of two other counts.