By Simbarashe Sithole
BINDURA mayor Carlos Tokyo and an MDC councillor were yesterday not found guilty of stealing drought relief maize at Tendai Hall, in Chipadze last year. Tokyo (38) and Friday Mutata Chigwade (59) were acquitted at the close of the State case by Bindura magistrate Erick Kadye.
The state alleged that on October 11 last year, the duo went to Tendai Hall where 100 bags of maize, which were part of the drought relief allocation for Member of Parliament for Bindura North Kenneth Musanhi, were kept. Upon arrival, Tokyo and Chigwade told the security guard on duty that they had come to collect the maize which they wanted to distribute in their respective wards as councillors.
The duo reportedly then signed for maize in the security guard’s occurrence book under entry number 346 and 347 and then collected it without Musanhi’s consent.
The accused persons were said to have loaded the maize into trucks parked at the hall and drove the loot to an unknown destination. The total value of the maize is $1 950.
Vincent Marunya represented the State.
In another case, two Chiweshe villagers, who were part of a group which allegedly demonstrated against a nurse-in-charge at Rosa Rural District Hospital, were also acquitted by magistrate Erick Kadye to a charge of participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence.
The State led by Vincent Marunya alleged that Joice Chigwida and Julius Majawa (49) on January 14 incited a demonstration against Abeshel Mundandishe (52) at the hospital.
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It is further alleged that they played drums and sang songs calling for Mundandishe’s removal on allegations that she ill-treated patients.
Police tried to stop the protest without success. The villagers only dispersed after they were addressed by the councillor for the area John Mudzonga.
