The trial of MDC-T Masvingo Urban MP and Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment deputy minister Tongai Matutu who is being charged for allegedly labelling President Robert Mugabe a dog, has been postponed indefinitely.
The court postponed the case yesterday after the State failed to locate one of the key witnesses, a retired policeman. The court also heard the other witness in the matter which allegedly occurred in 2005, is now deceased.
On June 25 2005, Matutu allegedly labelled President Mugabe a dog and likened him to a tsunami while addressing a public meeting at Ferry Training Centre in Zaka.
He was charged under the Public Order and Security Act (Posa) after his remarks were said to be likely to incite public disorder or an uprising.
Matutu, who was last year convicted of assaulting Chief Serima, (born Vengesayi Rushwaya), and fined $100, told NewsDay the case failed to take off due to lack of witnesses.
“The case has been postponed indefinitely due to lack of witnesses.
“One of the witnesses is yet to be located as he has since left the police force while the other one is said to be now deceased,” said Matutu.
The remarks which were in Shona when translated, read: “I have never seen a dog like (President) Mugabe, a Tsunami that killed people. Zanu PF is not giving MDC-T supporters maize grain and you just stand watching and praying yet you are being ill-treated. The people should rise up against the government and not the other way round.”
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Matutu has denied the charge as trumped-up by his political nemesis to persecute him for holding different political views.
