CHINHOYI — The trial of businessman-cum-politician Temba Peter Mliswa (41) and seven co-accused persons arrested last week and charged with public violence is set to begin at the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Courts today.
Own Correspondent
The eight appeared in court last week for their bail hearings which took two days before presiding magistrate Felix Mawadza remanded them in custody to today.
Allegations against them are that on February 22 at Zimonja business centre, Zvipani, Hurungwe West, they ganged up with six others who are still at large and attacked injuring Hurungwe East MP Sarah Mahoka, who is also Zanu PF Women’s League provincial chairperson for Mashonaland West, and her entourage for “trespassing”.
They allegedly used bricks, fists and booted feet to assault the MP and her driver before deflating two tyres of her vehicle.
Mliswa’s co-accused are Goodwell Zinyama (49), Simbarashe Mamina (30), Christopher Munakira (35), Munyaradzi Mutami (33), Judge Makwava (34), January Mapfundematsva (37) and Matilda Makwanya (33).
In their bail application, the defence lawyers submitted that accused did not have pending cases of a similar nature, and that Mliswa had an alibi in that he was not physically present when the violence occurred.
The State opposed bail arguing political violence was a serious charge which carried a maximum penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and, therefore, the accused were likely to abscond. Babra Mabika is prosecuting.
