The trial of University of Zimbabwe law lecturer and International Socialist Organisation (ISO) general-coordinator, Munyaradzi Gwisai, and five co-accused continued yesterday with the defence challenging the identity of State star witness, Jonathan Shoko.
The activists’ lawyer, Aleck Muchadehama, grilled Shoko on the witness stand seeking to establish his identity, taking into account Shoko’s admission in his evidence before the court that he sneaked into the ISO meeting in February this year.
“I want to also establish whether he also did not sneak into this court because the witness from his own admission, said he sneaked into the meeting,” Muchadehama said drawing laughter from members of public.
Muchadehama asked Shoko why he was not known at Criminal Intelligence Unit, where he said he was attached.
Shoko said according to their mode of operation, it was possible the officers there did not want to disclose information about him.
When he was asked to give his force number, he initially gave a wrong one, but later corrected himself saying he had a slip of the tongue.
Muchadehama further quizzed Shoko why his force number was the same as one allocated to a different officer who was attested into the ZRP in 1998, but Shoko said he was not responsible for allocating force numbers.
The case was adjourned to tomorrow after Muchadehama said he wanted to cross-examine Shoko further, but could not do so due to time.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
In his evidence, Shoko said Gwisai and his alleged accomplices had allegedly set March 1 as the date to allegedly start a revolution that would lead to the toppling of the inclusive government.
Shoko said he gathered the information after sneaking into the ISO meeting under cover where Gwisai was allegedly plotting the revolt.
Harare provincial magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini is presiding over the case.
Gwisai, Hopewell Gumbo, Antonater Choto, Welcome Zimuto, Edson Chakuma and Tatenda Mombeyarara are represented by Muchadehama while the State is represented by Edmore Nyazamba and Michael Reza.
