KADOMA — The trial of Mhondoro-Ngezi lawmaker Mike Gava (32), facing charges of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and four other charges of violating the Firearms Act, was yesterday aborted after the prosecutor handling the matter was recused from the case.
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Yesterday, Chegutu prosecutor-in-charge Allan Chifokoyo assumed responsibility over the matter taking over from Regis Chavora who was removed from the case for unspecified reasons.
Addressing presiding magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba in court, Chifokoyo said he had received instructions from the National Prosecuting Authority in Harare to take over the matter, but did not give reasons.
Chifokoyo then immediately made an application for postponement of the trial to October 3 to allow him time to familiarise with the docket, which was granted.
Steve Murambashiri of Jarvis and Palferman law firm representing Gava requested for relaxation of reporting conditions to which the State did not oppose.
Gava, who was reporting to police every Friday, would now report once a month. The trial involving the Zanu PF lawmaker has failed to start on three occasions.
The last scheduled date was August 20 where State witnesses did not show up forcing an adjournment of the matter to yesterday. The trial had previously failed to kick-off as scheduled as the State had sent the docket for perusal at the Prosecutor-General’s Office.
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The State had also sought more time to adduce evidence from various witnesses, including a ballistics report compiled by forensic experts.
Allegations against Gava are that on April 17 this year at around 2300hours and 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 shattering a window pane before it hit a wall.
The firearm is unlicensed, the State alleges. It was further averred at around 2330hrs Gava 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 to have sex with her and have a child with her. 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 the complainant after she tried to flee.
Chitombo was reportedly left for dead while Gava fled the scene. She was rescued by strangers and a police report was later made leading to accused’s arrest.
