MARTIN MAWAYA
MASVNGO-The High Court Judge, Justice Garainesu Mawadze yesterday granted bail to CCC losing candidate for Chirumhanzu South Constituency, Patrick Cheza (50) and four other activists.
The five who were charged with assaulting the controversial Tourism Minister, Barbara Rwodzi and Chirumanzu South legislator were ordered to deposit ZW$500 000 with the clerk of court as bail each.
They were initially denied bail by Gweru Provincial Magistrate Tendai Killian Mahwe on 12 September 2023.
Cheza, was charged with inciting public violence alongside Elias Maduveko (26), Magmaster Chidyawuye (21), Delight Zinyemba (22) and Courage Mugova (20).
He is accused of inciting CCC members to beat Rwodzi, after his car was allegedly involved in a car accident with the then Deputy Minister’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.
The five were represented by renowned Gweru Lawyer Esau Mandipa of Mutatu & Mandipa Legal Practice and Leopold Mudisi of Mutendi, Mudisi & Shumba Legal Practitioners.
