adminCourt Reporter
THE three Zanu-PF members from Bulawayo Province who were facing charges of public violence have been acquitted. Noah Gatsi (57), Ashley Shorai Mashungu (31) and Robert Ncube (58) were on Tuesday found not guilty of public violence by Bulawayo magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere.Gatsi was however convicted of two counts of assaulting Mashungu and Ncube.
He was fined $50 or 30 days in prison for each count.
The State’s case was that on 10 March, Gatsi, Mashungu and Ncube allegedly engaged in violence which disrupted the party’s PCC meeting, which was attended by the provincial leadership, members of the Central Committee and Politburo from the province.
Ncube, who is the party’s provincial secretary for security started vetting party members and told those who were not eligible to attend the PCC to go out.
The court was told that the chairman of war collaborators, Cde Douglas Gangaidzwa refused to leave, arguing that there were some suspended members who were still in the hall who were not eligible to attend the meeting.
Cde Gangaidzwa allegedly invited other party members who were outside to get into the hall and attend the meeting. An argument ensued between Mashungu, who is a member of the youth wing and Gatsi resulting in the latter slapping the former.
Mashungu and Gatsi allegedly started a fist fight and when Mashungu was being overpowered, Ncube intervened while others joined in the fight.
A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of the three.
Mr Jeremiah Mutsindikwa represented the State.
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derick.khumalo