KADOMA magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba has said the trial of Mhondoro-Ngezi MP Mike Gava (Zanu PF), who is facing charges of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint, will start on August 20.
Own Correspondent
This was after two false starts to the trial involving the youthful Zanu PF lawmaker.
Prosecutor Reginald Chavora told the court on Tuesday that trial had failed to kick-off as scheduled as the State had sent the docket for perusal at the Prosecutor-General’s Office.
Chavora also said the State had sought more time to adduce evidence from various witnesses, including a ballistics report compiled by forensic experts.
Gava, who arrived at the courts in the company of some Zanu PF youths, is being represented by Kadoma lawyer Steve Murambashiri.
Allegations against Gava are that on April 17 this year at around 2300 hours while at Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre casino, he pointed a Taurus revolver at two hotel employees, Charmaine Nyamadzawo and Rudo Marima.
The legislator, the State further alleges, was in a drunken stupor and acting rowdily, and fired one shot from the pistol resulting in a bullet shuttering a window pane before it hit a wall. The firearm is unlicensed, the State argues.
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It was further averred at around 2330 hours the accused left the hotel casino and proceeded to the car park where he met his former lover, Thandeka Chitombo (21).
He allegedly told her he wanted sex and have a child with her. This, the State argues, the MP did to “fix” his ex-lover for dating an unnamed local businessman.
Gava, while still wielding the gun, force-marched Chitombo to his car and drove to his Mayfair Farm situated on the outskirts of the city.
The lawmaker, it was heard, assaulted her after she tried to flee. Chitombo was reportedly left for dead as Gava fled the scene. She was rescued by strangers and a police report was later made leading to the legislator’s arrest.
