MDC-T MP for Chiredzi West, Moses Mare, has been convicted of assaulting a 17-year-old girl for singing a Zanu PF jingle, which praises President Robert Mugabe while belittling Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Chiredzi resident magistrate Thomas Mandityira fined Mare $20 or 10 days in prison.
However, Mare’s lawyer, Blessing Nyamaropa, of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, appealed against conviction.
Charges against Mare arose sometime in January this year when the MP attended the funeral of an MDC-T party supporter’s child in Tshovani Township, Chiredzi.
While at the funeral, a 17-year-old girl started singing the Zanu PF jingle, Nyatsoteerera produced by Mbare Chimurenga Choir.
Incensed by the song in which Zanu PF claims to have more authority over MDC-T in the inclusive government, Mare confronted the girl and slapped her on the neck from behind, injuring one of her ears.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to Mare’s arrest.
Initially, Mare had sought acquittal at the close of the State case on the basis of lack of evidence to warrant conviction, but Mandityira threw out the application saying the MP faced a prima facie case.
