The trial of the leader of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide Revelation, Rev Isaac Tititi Moyo, and his followers, who are accused of assaulting journalists, failed to take off at the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
by STAFF REPORTER
The State said the case, in which Moyo and four of his followers are accused of assaulting NewsDay Midlands reporter Blessed Mhlanga, together with ZBC Midlands bureau chief Jackie Gwemende, cameraperson Dzikamai Mandizvidza and Munyaradzi Musiyiwa of The Herald, could not proceed because there was no magistrate.
Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court is operating with one magistrate, Taurai Manwere, who is dealing with remands and other trials.
The second magistrate, Letwin Rwodzi, is away on annual leave.
The case, which was reported in February after Moyo allegedly unleashed his followers and security personnel on the journalists, accusing them of taking pictures of his commercial property without permission, has not been tried nine months after.
Area prosecutor Salome Maunganidze had set the matter down for the trial to open on Tuesday and had summoned witnesses and the accused persons after lawyer Caroline Mugabe had written to the State expressing concern over the delay.
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Mugabe further warned she would approach the Constitutional Court to assert the rights of the journalists, who were assaulted while carrying out their duties.
“It is trite at law that justice delayed is justice denied and it appears that even after police have concluded investigations, the State is afraid of calling Rev Moyo and his colleagues to justice. Maybe some people are more equal than others,” Mugabe said.
