LUPANE A senior Zanu PF official in Matabeleland North facing charges of stealing two diesel-powered engines belonging to the community wants the case dropped for lack of evidence.
John Robert Khumalo (57), the Zanu PF provincial secretary for legal affairs, pleaded not guilty to theft charges when he appeared before Lupane magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba and is out of custody on $100 bail.
The State represented by Sanders Sibanda on Wednesday finished leading evidence from its key witnesses. Khumalos lawyer Solomon Mguni of Hwalima, Moyo and Associates told the court the evidence was not enough to convict his client. Mguni said he would make his submissions for the application for discharge on January 25 at the close of the State case.
In November last year one of the key State witnesses, Buster Willie Magwizi (64), a Zipra veteran, told the court Khumalo pestered him to buy one of the engines.
He said the accused told him he wanted to raise money to prepare for his daughters wedding.
