adminCourt Reporter
SEVEN suspects masquerading as Zanu-PF youths were last week arrested on allegations of illegally pegging plots at Ruwanda Farm in Headlands for the purposes of resettling landless youths from the constituency.Ruwanda Farm, which falls within the A2 category, was allocated to one Mr Musuwo during the land reform programme.
The seven suspects are Nhamo Siyamayanga (35), Taurai Mukwama (38), Brighton Chitura (30), Steven Sinoya (36), Andrew Chitura (34), Themba Maungai (34) and Trymore Togo (36).
They all come from Nyahanda area in Headlands.
The suspects were arraigned before Rusape magistrate Mrs Elizerbeth Hanzi on circuit in Headlands.
Mr Thomas Tumbare is representing the State.
He has pressed charges stemming from Section 41 of the Criminal Codification and Reforms Act, which makes disorderly conduct in a public place a punishable criminal offence.
The seven suspects had on January 7, 2015 appeared before Mrs Hanzi pleading guilty to the charges. As the court proceedings continued, the plea was later altered to that of “not guilty” after one of the suspects said the part of the farm in contention was reserved for community pastures.
On Tuesday this week, the seven appeared before Mrs Hanzi for continuation of trial and — jointly denied the allegations accusing Ruwanda Farm manager, Mr Arab Kamwendo of lying that they pegged plots to resettle themselves.
The seven, who are self actors, said they never at any point visited the farm and pegged the said plots to resettle themselves as alleged by the State.
Mr Tumbare told the court that on January 5, the seven went to Ruwanda Farm in Headlands and approached Mr Kamwendo and told him that they were subdividing that farm to resettle landless youths in the constituency.
“They told Mr Kamwendo that they had come to peg plots to resettle themselves. They proceeded to the fields which have a thriving tobacco crop and started pegging some plots,” said Mr Tumbare.
Mr Kamwendo then called Headlands Police Station, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
The State closed its case on Tuesday.
The matter was remanded to today (Friday) for the defence case at Rusape Magistrate’s Court.
Online Reporter