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Witnesses exonerate Tajamuka protesters

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Four State witnesses, who were victims of violent protests last year, yesterday exonerated Tajamuka spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi and 22 others accused of committing public violence.

Four State witnesses, who were victims of violent protests last year, yesterday exonerated Tajamuka spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi and 22 others accused of committing public violence.

BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE

Leonard Zuze, whose Mercedes Benz vehicle was damaged during the protests, told the court that he could not recognise any of the suspects in the dock.

Asked by the State prosecutor, Nancy Chandakaona, if he knew why the suspects were in the dock, Zuze said he did not know why they were arrested.

Another witness, Frank Kachigona, whose delivery van was damaged, said he was unable to identify the suspects, as he got confused during the melee.

Memory Ncube, a supervisor at Madam and Eve shop at Construction House in the central business district (CBD), said she lost goods worth $20 000, but could also not identify any of the suspects in the dock.

All the witnesses were not subjected to cross-examination, as the defendants’ lawyer, Tonderai Bhatasara, noticed that they did not link any of his clients to the commission of the offence.

The Tajamuka members, who include Mkwananzi, Kunashe Muchemwa, Kerina Gweshe, Michael Kauzani and others, appeared before magistrate Lazini Ncube.

Their trial had been postponed on many occasions since last year due to non-availability of State witnesses and “other petty excuses”, which the defence lawyers argued were a ploy by the State to delay justice.

It is the State’s case that on August 24 last year in the CBD, the suspects teamed up and conspired to cause public violence, setting ablaze State-owned property, including a Ford Ranger belonging to the police and a Mazda BT50 owned by ZBC, and disturbing peace, security and order of the public.