Trial of 29 MDC-T members facing charges of murdering a cop continues

The trial of the 29 MDC-T members who are facing charges of murdering a police officer in Glen View, Harare in May 2011 continued at the Victim Friendly Court at the Harare Magistrates’ Court today.

Ednah Chihota continued to give evidence before High Court judge, Justice Chinembiri Bhunu. The proceedings again were again closed to the media and members of the public after Chihota said she could not give evidence in an open court as she had received threats from unknown people.

The trial moves to the High Court tomorrow after the State lawyers finished cross examining Chihota today. All the 29 members were back in court despite repeated attempts by the State to deny them bail for months claiming they were a flight risk.

Meanwhile, the trial of Hon. Lynette Karenyi Kore, the MP for Chimanimani West who is jointly charged with Freddy Dziwande, the MDC Chimanimani West district chairperson for holding a rally without police clearance in November last year, kicked off yesterday with the officer-in-charge of Nyanyadzi Police Station testifying.

MP Kore and Dziwande are denying the charge and say they were arrested at a ward meeting to repair a damaged roof at Shinja Primary School and the meeting was not political and did not require police clearance or sanctioning.

Hon. Kore is also the MDC Women’s Assembly organising secretary. The trial will resume on Thursday before Mutare magistrate Sekesai Chiundura when more state witnesses will testify.

The MDC’s position is that the arrests of its members is nothing but an attempt by a desperate and panicking Zanu PF that is using State agents and institutions to arrest, harass and intimidate MDC members.

The MDC urges its members to remain resolute and focused as we enter the last mile towards real Change.

Comments