THE trial of Kwekwe Central MP Masango Matambanadzo and his bodyguard Beden Mawire on charges of assaulting Gokwe-Kana MP Owen Ncube failed to resume due to “administrative” issues.
BLESSED MHLANGA STAFF REPORTER
Prosecutor Fiona Mkwena sought to have the matter postponed to October 21 for continuation of trial when the matter came before magistrate Letwin Rwodzi, saying she was in the process of putting the dockets through some administration processes.
Mkwena did not explain what she meant by administrative issues which the State was looking into, but defence lawyer Liberty Mashanyare said the dockets were now in Harare.
“We understand that the dockets have been sent to the Attorney-General’s Office in Harare and once they are back, trial might resume,” said Mashanyare without giving further details.
Matambanadzo, who is reportedly linked to a Zanu PF faction allegedly led by Vice-President Joice Mujuru, told the court through his lawyer that he was being targeted by Ncube for political reasons.
He accused Ncube of framing charges against him in an effort to oust the legislator from Parliament and have him replaced by a person loyal to Ncube and his handlers.
Court sources told NewsDay that Matambanadzo was unhappy with the decision by the State to withdraw charges he had filed against Ncube before plea while they chose to proceed with the trial against him and had therefore complained resulting in the dockets being sent to Harare.
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Mashanyare refused to comment on the complaint and instead said the matter was sensitive.
“I can’t say much at this point because this is a very sensitive matter as you may be aware,” he said.
The State alleged that on July 13 at Amaveni shopping centre, Matambanadzo and his bodyguard took turns to assault Ncube by boxing him.
