CIO agent quizzed over minister’s alleged assault

LAWyERS representing opposition Chirumanzu politician Patrick Cheza last week quizzed a Central Intelligence Organisation operative, who testified in Tourism minister Barbara Rwodzi's alleged assault in a public violence case.

It is reported that on August 24 last year, Cheza allegedly incited Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members to assault Rwodzi after his car was involved in an accident with the minister's vehicle along the Charandura-Chaka dust road.

During cross examination by defense lawyer Esau Mandipa Tafadzwa Nyamaharo, a CIO agent who is also Rwodzi's aide said he saw the minister lying on the ground with a certain man in a yellow T-shirt kicking her.

He claimed that another unidentified person wearing a red T-shirt tried to stab Rwodzi.

But Mandipa submitted that during her evidence-inchief, Rwodzi had told the court that a man in a red Tshirt approached her holding a knife intending to stab her.

Rwodzi said she staggered and fell down when she attempted to dodge the alleged attack.

Nyamaharo was quizzed as to why his version differed from the minister's, but he maintained that he was only narrating what he witnessed.

Nyamaharo also said he saw an assortment of weapons including machetes, logs and iron bars at the accident scene but Mandipa submitted that all other witnesses including Rwodzi said they never saw the weapons.

Another investigating officer Detective Sergeant Thulani Ndlovu was also cross examined by co-defense lawyer Leopold Mudisi.

Mudisi questioned Ndlovu’s impartiality. Mudisi said after the arrest of the accused persons, a formal identification parade of was never conducted.

Ndlovu was also quizzed over inconsistencies in statements he made last year during bail application of the accused and the statements he gave on Friday in court.

Gweru magistrate Beaulity Cube postponed the matter to June 11 for continuation of trial.

Taurai Mavuto and Monica Mungwena prosecuted.