The trial for Mutare Mayor, Brian James, failed to take off on Thursday last week after the State discovered that evidence contained in the docket could not sustain the trumped-up charges of assault and malicious damage to property.
State prosecutor, Walter Saunyama, then decided to drop the charges.
Mayor James was facing false allegations of assaulting one Alois Manyati and smashing his vehicle last month in Vumba. Representing the mayor, David Tandira, said in light of these facts, there was no evidence linking the mayor to the charges.
The MDC say the persecution of James is part of a grand plot to intimidate, harass and convict MDC MPs and members. Five MDC MPs have since been “convicted” of these trumped-up charges.
