ZIMBABWE – GWANDA – A GWANDA magistrate has set 19 November as the trial date for three soldiers who were involved in a shooting incident that left a policeman injured in Plumtree town about a fortnight ago.
Victor Mugo, Tapiwa Chigiji and Trust Matenda on Friday appeared before Gwanda resident magistrate, Douglas Zvenyika facing two counts, one of attempted murder and the other of discharging a firearm in a public place.
The three were remanded in custody. Initially Plumtree resident magistrate, Mark Dzira and prosecutor Stanley Chinyanganya were handling the case.
However, it was transferred from Plumtree to Gwanda after Dzira received a threatening letter ordering him to set the three soldiers free or leave town.
The prosecutor, Edward Ndlovu, told the court that the incident happened on 11 October at Dingumuzi Stadium.
The court heard that Mugo who holds the rank of lieutenant teamed up with 14 members of the army clad in uniform and armed themselves with AK47 rifles.
Ndlovu told the court that the soldiers proceeded to Dingumuzi Stadium where there was a soccer match between a police football team and Border Kings, a team made up of touts who operate at the border post.
He said when the soldiers arrived at the stadium the referee had just ended the match and at the command of the lieutenant, they started cocking their rifles.
Ndlovu said the soldiers were shouting demanding to see Mr Ashley Muzari, a player from Border Kings.
He said when Mr Muzari realised that the soldiers were after him he went to seek protection from the police.
The police, Ndlovu said, tried to stop the soldiers from taking away Mr Muzari and at that point Mugo ordered the soldiers to fire.
He said two shots were fired in the air and the other bullet hit Constable Matongo in the arm.
The prosecutor told the court that three weeks prior to the shooting incident, Mr Muzari had caught Dzingai Kuchivirika, also a member of the army, being intimate with his wife.
He said Mr Muzari then severely assaulted Kuchivirika and after the assault a report was made to the police leading to Mr Muzari’s arrest.
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Its high time magistrates are to be respected and protected.No one is above the law.MaMagistrates should get what they deserve nyangwe uri musoja you are not above the law.Look at the state yemamagistrates they are the poorest and mostly underpaid this explains why they is a shortage of magistrates muno coz of the poor working conditions.Something should be done urgently
Comment by Fatso — November 17, 2009 @ 11:21 am
Its high time magistrates are to be respected and protected.No one is above the law.MaMagistrates should get what they deserve nyangwe uri musoja you are not above the law.Look at the state yemamagistrates they are the poorest and mostly underpaid this explains why they is a shortage of magistrates muno coz of the poor working conditions.Something should be done urgently
Comment by gaga — November 17, 2009 @ 11:29 am