THREE witnesses yesterday testified against nine MDC-T activists who allegedly assaulted Zanu PF supporters in the run-up to the June 27 2008 presidential run-off and identified one of them. Report by Silas Nkala, Staff Reporter
The nine MDC-T activists — Norman Sibanda (50), Abraham Sibanda (53) Orchard Ndlovu (44), Mane Patrick Ncube (47), Melusi Ncube (40), Dokotela Sibanda (58), Thulani Sibanda (34), Robert Karat Tshuma (60) and Victor Nyoni (40) — have denied the allegations.
Yesterday, they appeared before Lupane magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba where three Zanu PF activists – Sharon Ngwenya, Phionah Nyoni and Siphokuhle Ncube — testified against them.
Gwazemba remanded the case to October 25 when the State is expected to close its case.
The nine MDC-T activists are accused of attacking Zanu PF members for supporting the former liberation party in an MDC-T stronghold. Ngwenya, Nyoni and Ncube said they saw Thulani among the “gang” that attacked them.
“The person who assaulted me is not among the accused persons, but among the group, I saw number seven (Thulani). He was there,” Ncube said.
“Most of the people who attacked me were youths whom I did not know.” Ncube said the violence was political as the assailants chanted MDC-T slogans and accused her of attending a Zanu PF rally which had earlier been held at Mpahlwa Primary School.
Nyoni said she was attacked by one Pathisani Moyo, who is still at large, and was rescued by Thulani when Moyo wanted to strike her with an axe.
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“When Thulani blocked the axe from hitting me on the head, it then struck me on the toe,” Nyoni said.
Ngwenya also said he saw Thulani in the group although he was not the one who assaulted him.
Last week, eight other witnesses testified and most of them implicated Thulani, Norman and Karat Tshuma.
Sanders Sibanda is prosecuting.
Nine accused of assault
ALLEGATIONS are that between June 22 and 23, 2008, the nine MDC-T activists went to Holomoka village in Lupane where they allegedly raided homes of Zanu PF activists.
They allegedly assaulted them with stones, knobkerries, axes, iron rods and logs.
The attacked villagers were taken to hospital following the assault and a report made to the police led to their arrest.
