MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-Lawyers representing Patrick Cheza (50) and four other Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) activists today gave notice in court that they will apply for refusal of remand if the trial fails to commence on November 28.
Esau Mandipa of Mutatu & Mandipa Legal Practice and Leopold Mudisi of Mutendi, Mudisi & Shumba Legal Practitioners said this before Provincial Magistrate, Nixon Mangoti after the prosecution applied for the postponement of the matter as they had not yet served state papers to the defence counsel.
Cheza, was charged alongside Elias Maduveko (26), Magmaster Chidyawuye (21), Delight Zinyemba (22) and Courage Mugova (20).
The five who are on bail were charged with assaulting controversial Tourism Minister, Barbara Rwodzi who is also Chirumanzu South legislator.
Cheza is also accused of inciting CCC members to beat Rwodzi, after his car was allegedly involved in a car accident with the then Rwodzi’s vehicle.
It is the state case that on August 24 along the Charandura-Chaka dust road, George Rwodzi, son to the Minister was involved in an accident with Cheza’s car which was being driven by John Bata.
George and Bata phoned Rwodzi and Cheza respectively following the accident
After arriving at the scene, Cheza allegedly charged at Rwodzi and accused her of trying to kill members of his campaign team.
The other four accused who wielded iron bars and other weapons allegedly charged at Rwodzi.
Chidyawuye, who was allegedly armed with an AK 47, produced a knife and deflated the tyre of an Isuzu pick up before they assaulted Rwodzi.
The court heard that the four stopped the violence after Rwodzi’s aide fired a warning shot into the air.
The accused persons were later arrested at Charandura after being identified by one Gladys Chivige, who was with Rwodzi at the accident scene.
Taurai Mavuto and Ruvimbo Mutemeri prosecuted.
