THE trial of jailed RMG End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura and eight others on charges of attempting a jailbreak at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison resumed yesterday with their lawyers accusing the State’s key witness, Claudius Mutizwa, of delaying the trial as “he seeks to continue leaving a pampered life in prison”.
by PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
Gumbura and his alleged accomplices Blessing Chiduke (25), Luckmore Matambanadzo (39), Luck Mhungu (38), Taurai Dodzo (47), Thomas Chacha (37), Thulani Chizema (32), Jacob Sibanda (28) and Elijah Vhumbunu (38) are alleged to have mobilised mass riots in a bid to carry out a jailbreak on March 13 this year.
The accused have, however, denied the charge and through their lawyer, Tapson Dzvetero accused Mutizwa of feigning illness to delay the trial.
“We feel the witness is trying to avoid giving evidence and delay the trial,” the lawyer said.
One of the accused, Chiduke, was very clear that Mutizwa wanted the good life to continue by delaying the trial.
“This witness is being pampered by the State, in fact, he is living in a comfort zone. Prison is not a five-star hotel and the conditions he is facing are no different from any other inmate,” Chiduke said.
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He said Mutizwa was living a protected life in prison and was being given tea and bread in the holding cells and had sadza with beef stew whenever he went to court to give evidence.
Stung by the allegations, Mutizwa made a U-turn and agreed to testify.
He told the court during cross-examination by Dzvetero that Gumbura did not participate in the riots.
“On March 13 Gumbura did nothing,” Mutizwa said.
He, however, was evasive on all the other questions on Gumbura’s actions on the day in question.
Mutizwa would repeat: “I have no comment,” to the lawyer’s questions.
An exasperated Dzvetero then remarked to the court: “The witness is evading all questions that exonerate my client by simply saying he has no comment or he doesn’t know.”
Mutizwa had earlier told the court that Gumbura was a “Godfather” in the prison and some officers were willing to run his errands. He also said Gumbura wanted to lead a breakaway from prison Boko Haram-style with the alleged assistance of former prisoner Albert Matapo.
The trial continues today before magistrate Francis Mapfumo.
