Sikhala, Maiko trial kicks off

kai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

The trial of CCC deputy national chairman Job Sikhala and former Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maiko on charges of disorderly conduct after they allegedly stoned Zanu PF supporters at a rally at Zengeza 5 in May last year, opened yesterday with the State leading its evidence with two witnesses.

The two, who have other pending court cases, appeared before magistrate Mrs Yeukai Dzuda on the stoning charges.

The first witness, Cephas Kamurai, from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, told the court that on May 2 last year, he was part of a team on patrol in Zengeza 5 where by-elections were soon to be held.

He was watching a Zanu PF rally at Zengeza 5 grounds when he saw a white lorry with about 50 CCC supporters, including Sikhala, driving up to the venue.

Police rushed to block the lorry with their vehicle as part of the policy of keeping supporters separate. They spoke to Sikhala, whom Mr Kamurai positively identified, who told him that they were doing door-to-door campaigns.

“A short while later, stones were thrown toward us by CCC members and others were going beyond our vehicle but we could not identify the exact person throwing them,” said Kamurai.

The second witness Pardon Chitembwe, gave more detail.

He said he saw both Maiko and Sikhala throwing stones at Zanu PF supporters.

“I saw accused two (Sikhala) in the lorry from a distance who started shouting loudly to other CCC members ordering them to throw the stones,” he said. “He said nothing would happen to him because he was a lawyer.

“Inside the truck, I saw Maiko and Sikhala picking up stones and giving them to others to throw at us.”

Chitembwe said he then saw Maiko jumping off the vehicle as Zanu PF members were also now advancing towards them.

He said it was at this moment that police arrived and dispersed the crowd but no one was arrested.

It is the State’s case that the rally was being hosted by Zanu PF ward 7 party candidate for the council by-election, Charamba Mlambo.

At around 1pm, Maiko also threw a stone which hit Shepherd Tawodzera, who was part of the gathering, on the head and he sustained a cut.

Both Sikhala and Maiko allegedly left after the commission of the offence and were positively identified as part of this violent group.

The trial continues on June 15. Mr Tafara Chirambira appeared for the State.