Mliswa to appear in court over violence
BUSINESSMAN Temba Mliswa who was arrested on Monday together with six other people in connection with the violence that rocked Hurungwe at the weekend is expected to appear in court today facing charges of public violence.
The violence occurred at Zimonja Business Centre in Zvipani last Friday after a group of 13 youths attacked Hurungwe East east legislator Sarah Mahoka and her entourage. Mahoka is also the Zanu-PF Women’s League provincial chairperson for Mashonaland West.
She is recovering from injuries sustained in the attack.
Mliswa was yesterday still detained at the Chinhoyi CID Law and Order section. Officer commanding CID Law and Order Mashonaland West, Superintendent Norest Muyambo confirmed the latest development.
“We have Mr Temba Mliswa and we expect to take him to court tomorrow (today) to answer to charges of public violence,” he said.
Mliswa’s lawyers Musindo Hungwe and Ray Tsvakwi said the charges were frivolous and they would prove the matter in court today.
“Our position is very clear as the legal team representing Mr Temba Mliswa that the charges preferred against him have no weight as they would need him to have been there to commit the offence at the material time,” said Mr Hungwe of Kadzere, Hungwe and Mandevere Legal Practitioners.
Mr Mike Mutsvairo who is representing the other six dismissed the charges as actions meant to score cheap political points by some officials in the area.
“We categorically deny the charges against my clients. These are nothing but cheap political points being scored by rivals in the political arena,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zanu-PF provincial leadership met on Monday to discuss the disturbances in Hurungwe. The leaders set a five member probe team headed by provincial secretary for security Christopher Shumba was set up.
Provincial chairman John Mafa said the team is expected to travel to Hurungwe to investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence.
“We condemn violence in the strongest terms and as a province we will send a team to investigate the violence so that we get to the bottom of the matter and take appropriate action,” he said.
