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Insiza Zanu PF supporters in court for violence

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SIX Zanu PF supporters from Insiza district in Matabeleland South province, appeared in court on Monday on public violence charges after they clashed with rival party members during a meeting held at Lochard Business Centre in June last year.

SIX Zanu PF supporters from Insiza district in Matabeleland South province, appeared in court on Monday on public violence charges after they clashed with rival party members during a meeting held at Lochard Business Centre in June last year.

BY SILAS NKALA

court-gavel

These are Insiza council chairperson Daniel Mpofu (68), Dumisani Mpofu (44), Mbuso Ncube (26), Busani Mathe (31), Amado Phiri (42) and Manager Ncube (59).

The suspects denied the charges when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Sithembiso Ncube, who remanded them out of custody to August 29 for continuation of trial.

Prosecutor Memory Takaedza told the court that on June 6 last year, the six were at a Zanu PF meeting with the complainants – Clifford Machona, Elijah Makhulumo, Mkhululi Ncube and Busani Dumani – all of Lochard Resettlement.

Tempers allegedly flared when Machona asked the council chairperson what authority he had to convene a meeting. This did not go down well with the council boss who allegedly instructed his colleagues to beat up Machona and others.

The council chairperson allegedly produced a sharp object from his pocket and stabbed Machona several times as Mbuso and Busani took turns to assault him with a sjambok and knobkerrie.

It is the State case that Dumisani and Amado then turned on Dumani and allegedly beat him up with a rubber pick handle and baton stick.

Manager also allegedly produced a knife and stabbed Mkhululi once on the back. The matter was later reported to police, leading to the suspects’ arrest.