-moved to Feb
MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-Midlands Provincial Magistrate, Beaulity Dube has postponed the trial of Patrick Cheza and four other Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) activists to February 19, following the prosecution application to separate the charge sheet.
The application to amend the charge sheet follows the absconding of the second accused person, Elias Maduveko who has reportedly skipped the border to South Africa.
The trial was initially slated to kick off today.
Cheza (50), Elias Maduveko (26), Magmaster Chidyawuye (21), Delight Zinyemba (22) and Courage Mugova (20) were represented by Esau Mandipa of Mutatu & Mandipa Legal Practice and Leopold Mudisi of Mutendi, Mudisi & Shumba Legal Practitioners.
The five are on bail for 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 Deputy Minister’s vehicle.
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.
