MDC-T Manicaland provincial chairman Julius Magarangoma who was facing charges of threatening to kill a Buhera headman three years ago was yesterday acquitted by a Mutare magistrate. REPORT BY OBEY MANAYITI
Magarangoma had pleaded not guilty to charges of contravening section 186 (1) (b) as read in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 09.23.
In handing down the ruling, magistrate Yeukai Chigodora said the state failed to prove a prima facie case against Magarangoma.
She added that the words allegedly uttered by the MDC-T chair did not constitute a threat of murder as required under the charge.
Charges against Magarangoma were that on November 1, 2010 at Manyadza rural home in Mhondiwa village, Buhera, he unlawfully and intentionally communicated a threat that caused a reasonable fear or belief that he would indeed kill Mutizwa Mhondiwa.
Mhondiwa, who is also a Zanu-PF leader in the area, had claimed that he received a death threat from Magarangoma who was allegedly accusing the headman of trying to unleash terror.
The State had submitted that on the day in question, Magarangoma followed Mhondiwa at his home and confronted him over the headman’s alleged threats against him and other MDC-T supporters.
Following their conversation, Magarangoma left, but Mhondiwa claimed he had been intimidated and threatened with death.
- 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
Through his lawyer, Trust Maanda, Magarangoma denied ever threatening to kill the headman as alleged.
Magarangoma said he had no intention of causing any harm to anyone in the village.
He added that the headman was trying to persecute him since they belong to different political parties.
