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Zanu PF intra-party violence spills to courts

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A ZANU PF official in Macheke, who allegedly punched a fellow party member, accusing him of blocking his ascendancy to the chairmanship post was yesterday arraigned before Marondera magistrate Arnold Maburo, facing assault and insult charges.

A ZANU PF official in Macheke, who allegedly punched a fellow party member, accusing him of blocking his ascendancy to the chairmanship post was yesterday arraigned before Marondera magistrate Arnold Maburo, facing assault and insult charges.

BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA/NHAU MANGIRAZI

Cephas Mahamba (52) pleaded not guilty to the charges of assaulting Kudakwashe Wachekwa and using unprintable words to insult Joseph Kamwendo at a meeting meant to select the district chairman.

Mahamba’s judgment will be delivered next week.

According to court papers, on March 10, Wachekwa attended a Zanu PF meeting held at Broadview College, Nyazema Business Centre in Macheke together with other party officials.

It is alleged that, at the close of the meeting, some resolutions to the effect that the substantive chairman retains his post were passed.

It is reported that Wachekwa and other party members were in support of the resolution and celebrated. During the celebrations, it is alleged that Mahamba approached Wachekwa and punched him on the right eye before telling him that he was the one responsible for blocking his ascendancy.

On count two, it is alleged that Kamwendo tried to restrain Mahamba from further attacking Wachekwa before the accused charged towards him a nd insulted him using unprintable words.

Kamwendo and Wachekwa reported the matter to the police.

Augustine Mugari represented the State.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has banned members of the public from carrying around dangerous weapons in the run up to the harmonised polls scheduled for July in Mashonaland West province.

The ban, which was effected on June 21, ends on September 15.

Officer Commanding Makonde District Chief Superintendent Lovemore Mutadza gave the directive.

In statement on Thursday, Mutadza said: ‘In terms of section 14 (1) Chapter 11.17 of Public Order and Security Act, (Posa) I, as regulating authority of the area, believes on reasonable grounds that the carrying in public openly or concealment of following weapons including catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives or daggas and any traditional weapons whatsoever is likely to occasion public disorder or a breach of peace.

“I do, hereby, give an order prohibiting the carrying of such weapons in the area of any part of Makonde falling under the jurisdiction of Chinhoyi Central, Chemagamba, Chinhoyi rural, Banket, Mutorashanga, Murereka, Zvimba, Kutama, Kenzamba, and Mhangura police stations,’ The ban is meant to arrest incidents of poll violence which have been escalating nationwide.