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Fungai Jachi Court Reporter
Four MDC-T activists appeared in court on Monday on allegations of destroying a house belonging to a Zanu-PF member in Chitungwiza on Saturday.
Foster Chabuka (29), Crispen Muchabaiwa (35), Kudakwashe Zungunde (35) and John Chatunzwa (33) appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei who deferred the matter to April 7.
The four, who are being charged with malicious damage to property after they allegedly used hoes and rakes to destroy the house, were granted $50 bail each and warned not to interfere with state witnesses.
The quartet is being represented by Mr Tapiwa Muchineripi. Mr Muchineripi claimed his clients were assaulted by police and denied the right to file a report against zanu-pf youths who had also assaulted them.
“The court has to know that the complainant and a group of about 20 people kidnapped and severely assaulted the accused before they reported the matter to the police.
“My clients tried to file a criminal complaint against the complainants with no success.
“This is a serious breach of the accused persons’ constitutional rights in terms of article 56 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Prosecutor Ms Ntombikayise Nleya assured the court that the State would investigate the matter.
“Your worship, the State will look into the matter and by the next remand date, we will be able to shed light on what transpired,” she said.
Allegations are that on March 21 at about 12 noon, the four, acting in consent with others who are still at large, went to stand Number 1841 in St Mary’s and destroyed a one-roomed building. The court heard that the building belonged to one Norman Kuzanga, a zanu-pf member. It is alleged that the four, together with their accomplices, used hoes and rakes to bring down the structure.
Kuzanga reported the matter to the police.
Online Reporter