HARARE – The former chairman of the Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association, Jabulani Sibanda, on Monday appeared in court facing charges of insulting the President.
The 56 year old is being charged with contravening section 33 of the controversial Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.
As the factional fighting in Zanu PF reaches it climax, Sibanda infuriated the first family by refusing to attend any of the 10 countrywide rallies Grace Mugabe has held since September to drum up support for her entry into politics.
The ex-war veteran’s leader is alleged to have said he wouldn’t attend the rallies until Mugabe’s supporters stopped chanting anti-Mujuru slogans and said “a coup both in the boardroom and the bedroom” was being staged.
Sibanda is alleged to have insulted the President Robert Mugabe in Manicaland Province while addressing a of war veterans. Sibanda is also alleged to have said President Mugabe’s power was not sexually transmitted.
When Sibanda appeared in court, his defence council, Mr Sobuza Gula Ndebele challenged the court’s jurisdiction and argued that his client must not be tried in Harare. The state called the investigating officer, Chief Superintendent Luxon Mukazhi, who revealed that the accused had consented to being tried in Harare.
Mr Gula Ndebele said his client does not understand the legal aspects, as he is a layman, arguing that the matter must be taken to Bulawayo.
The state lead by Mr Jonathan Murombedzi and Mr Oliver Mabwe indicated that the state has no problem with transferring the matter to Manicaland where the alleged offence was committed, a decision which the defence council viewed as punishment.
The court adjourned to Tuesday where there is a possibility that the defence will make a bail application.
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