The ManicaPost
Court Reporter
THE factional fights between MDC-T and MDC Alliance have turned nasty in Makoni Central constituency, with members of the latter resorting to using dirty tactics, including barring the Member of National Assembly, Mr David Tekeshe, from addressing mourners at funerals.
Mr Tekeshe has since filed a police report against two MDC-A activists for allegedly blocking him from giving graveyard eulogies at a party member’s funeral despite being accorded the opportunity to do so by the deceased’s family members.
Teddy Chipere (44) and Talent Hare (38), both of Vengere, appeared before Rusape magistrate Ms Annie Ndiraya last week on Tuesday facing allegations of promoting public violence.
The duo entered a plea of not guilty and will be back in court on October 12 for trial.
Public prosecutor, Mr Innocent Mwoyondizvo, told the court that Chipere and Hare denied Tekeshe a chance to address mourners, saying they did not recognise him as a Member of National Assembly since he was not from their party.
“On January 13, 2021 at Silverbow Cemetery, Chipere and Hare were among other mourners who were burying a fellow party member. The Member of National Assembly for Makoni Central, Mr David Tekeshe, was given the floor to make a speech and the two accused persons barred him from proceeding. They argued that they did not recognise him as their representative.
“They started chanting a song: “Taramba kupihwa order nemasaskum”, denigrating him. Other mourners joined them, thereby breaching peace,” said Mr Mwoyondizvo.
Meanwhile, Chipere, Hare and four other MDC-A activists were recently fined a beast and a goat each by Chief Makoni for chasing away MrTekeshe from the same funeral.
Chief Makoni ruled that it was taboo for strangers to chase away mourners as it was tantamount to accusing Mr Tekeshe of causing the deceased’s death.
Mr Tekeshe was awarded the six beasts, while the six goats were meant for the chief’s court.
The activists have since appealed against the chief’s ruling at the Rusape Civil Court, and the matter is yet to be heard.
