The ManicaPost
Post Reporter Senior Court Reporter
SIX law enforcement agents who allegedly teamed up to assault and kidnap a freelance journalist — Clayton Masekesa — over adultery allegations have a case to answer, a Mutare regional magistrate has ruled.
While dismissing an application for discharge that had been filed by the accused persons’ lawyers at the close of the State’s case yesterday (Thursday), Mrs Loyce Mukunyadze said witnesses to the case had produced compelling evidence in court which showed that a crime had been committed.
She said through two key witnesses, Masekesa and Manica Post Senior Reporter Abel Zhakata, the State proved a prima facie case against all the six suspects and thus they should be put to their defence.
The trial continues on January 15.
District public prosecutor, Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira, told the court that Masekesa sustained some injuries following the attack that occurred at House Number 27 Robert Mugabe Road, Hospital Hill where he had gone to see a girlfriend.
The woman at the centre of the whole saga — Melanda Konde — is allegedly a girlfriend to one of the municipal police officer who then teamed up with his accomplices to bash the journalist after he found the two at his house.
Saul Tomu (53), Penelock Majonhi (41), Everson Mark Marozva (33), Hope Mwaipa (33) Joachim Runyanga (35) and John Takaendesa (42) are facing assault and kidnapping or unlawful detention charges as defined in Section 93 (1) (b) (ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
Mwaipa and Runyanga are soldiers while Majoni and Marozva are traffic police officers. Tomu and Takaendesa are Mutare municipal cops.
Allegations were that the complainant went to Tomu’s residence at 27 Robert Mugabe Road, Hospital Hill, Mutare to meet Tomu’s girlfriend Konde who had asked him to visit her.
While at the house, Mwaipa and Runyanga asked Masekesa what he was doing at Tomu’s house in the latter’s absence.
They then handcuffed Masekesa while Takaendesa video recorded the proceedings using his cell phone and used a baton and open hands several times to assault Masekesa all over the body. The three then ordered Masekesa to roll over wet mud.
Tomu, Majonhi and Marozva came with a police Mitsubishi motor vehicle REG ZRP 093E and joined in assaulting Masekesa using open hands, accusing him of being in a love affair with Konde.
Zhakata arrived at the crime scene after he was phoned by Majonhi to come and cover the alleged assault.
He was supposed to record the assault and thereafter publish the adultery story in the Press to shame the complainant.
