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Anti-ED protester requires mental examination: State

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A DARING placard-waving engineer labelled President Emmerson Mnangagwa a murderer, while describing former Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantino Chiwenga as a “diamond thief” during last week’s Zanu PF extra-ordinary congress in Harare.

A DARING placard-waving engineer labelled President Emmerson Mnangagwa a murderer, while describing former Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantino Chiwenga as a “diamond thief” during last week’s Zanu PF extra-ordinary congress in Harare.

BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE

Gustaff Kativhu appeared before Harare magistrate Josephine Sande yesterday facing charges of insulting Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.

Kativhu, who is being represented by lawyer and MDC-T executive member Job Sikhala, had his bail application stalled pending psychiatric examination by two government doctors.

“Your Worship, my client has no mental health issues which the State alluded to over his behaviour in court on initial remand. It was due to post-psychological trauma after he was assaulted by a group of Zanu PF criminals and thugs at their congress in the presence of police officers recently,” Sikhala said.

But the State maintained it was satisfied that Kativhu should be examined because of his behaviour.

Sande postponed the matter to January 4, saying she would consider Kativhu’s bail application if the State fails to send him for mental examination before the remand date.

It is the State’s case that on December 15 this year, Zanu PF held an extraordinary congress at the Robert Mugabe Square, which endorsed Mnangagwa as its first secretary and presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2018 harmonised elections.

The State alleges at around 2pm, Kativhu arrived at the venue and was observed heading towards the VIP tent displaying three placards on both hands.

It is alleged the placards were inscribed: “Another 37 years of no jobs; Election by UN or else 2008; Chiwenga, don’t beat vendors give them jobs; Mnangagwa, Chiwenga diamond mafia; Mnangagwa killed my friend and Zanu PF is giving your jobs to Chinese”.

As a result, Kativhu was arrested and his placards were confiscated.

Kativhu once claimed that he was the one whom United Family International Church leader Emmanuel Makandiwa had prophesied about, saying the person who would lead Zimbabwe after former President Robert Mugabe would come from the Diaspora.

Kativhu is an engineer by profession and had lived in the Middle East for close to a decade.

Sebastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State.