A MASVINGO magistrate yesterday acquitted Ropafadzo Mapimhidze, NewsDay features and supplements editor, of charges of threatening Chief Nhema, born Rangarirai Bwawanda, over a telephone conversation last year.
REPORT BY TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT
Magistrate Lyn Manyika threw out the case due to lack of evidence.
The magistrate said the State failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Mapimhidze was facing a charge of contravening Section 88 (c) of the Post and Telecommunications Services Act (Chapter 12:05).
Chief Nhema, who confirmed in court while leading evidence that Zanu PF set up a base at his homestead, said he was threatened by Mapimhidze and felt terrified because his house was once burnt in 2008.
Nhema was the sole witness in the case. But Mapimhidze, through her lawyer Martin Mureri of Matutu, Kwirira and Associates, argued in her defence that she never threatened the chief, but wanted to get his comment on allegations that he was summoning villagers in his area threatening them with unspecified action if they did not vote Zanu PF.
“The complainant is simply trying to prove to my client that he is powerful and untouchable and this explains why even his statement was recorded over the phone.
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“He never visited the police station to make a complaint.
“The complainant is simply abusing the court processes and indeed the court should not concern itself with trivialities. The accused was simply executing her duties as a professional journalist,” Mureri said in the defence outline.
