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Two jailed for political violence

17 Aug, 2018 - 00:08 0 Views

The ManicaPost

Tendai Gukutikwa Post Correspondent

TWO MDC Alliance supporters who waylaid a ZANU-PF member in Mutasa and heavily assaulted him before stripping him naked have been slapped with a 12-month-jail-term.

Lincoln Muradzikwa (22) and Patrick Murauro (23) pleaded guilty to assault when they appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe last week.

In passing sentence, Mr Mahwe said cases of political violence were on the rise and therefore there was need for custodial sentences.

“Just a few days after the elections cases of this nature are on the rise. There is therefore the need to send out a clear message to everyone out there that the law does not tolerate violence at all, worse still political violence. A moderate term of imprisonment is appropriate thus I sentence you to 12 months imprisonment.”

He, however, suspended four months for five years on condition of good behavior.

The pair will serve an effective eight months imprisonment.

The court heard that July 13 at around 8pm, Providence Maunze was drinking beer at Manhede Business Centre with his friends when he decided to go home.

After walking for a distance of about 800metres from the business centre, he observed that there was someone following him, holding a torch. He slowed down thinking that it was one of his friends.

Muradzikwa and Murauro then emerged from the bushes advancing towards Maunze.

Muradzikwa then told Maunze that he wanted to assault him for supporting Jefta Sakupwanya, then Zanu PF aspiring candidate for the House of Assembly in the constituency.

He started assaulting Maunze with fists all over the body.

Murauro joined in and clapped the complainant.

When the complainant fell to the ground, Murauro picked a stone which he used to hit him on the back.

The suspects then tore the complainant’s Zanu-PF t-shirt which he was wearing. After tearing it off, they then took it away with them, leaving him naked.

As a result of the assault, Maunze sustained bruises on the back and was left bleeding from the mouth.

Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted.

Meanwhile, three more MDC Alliance supporters from Odzi have appeared before the same magistrate facing assault charges after allegedly assaulting Zanu-Pf supporters while another MDC Alliance supporter appeared before the courts on allegations of threatening to kill a Zanu-Pf supporter.

Felicity Mandava, Moreblessing Manyanga, Chamine Mataka and Gladys Muzowerenga who are the suspects to the three cases were all not asked to plead to the charges when they appeared in court

They were remanded to August 20 after paying $50 bail each.

As part of their bail conditions they were ordered not to interfere with State witnesses directly and indirectly and keep residing at their given addresses.

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