The trial of Mt Pleasant legislator Samuel Banda
(MDC-Alliance) for violating the Electoral Act continued last Friday with
another state witness Mr Isaac Chidavaenzi saying Banda apologised to him for
fraudulently using his address.
Banda was arrested last year for providing a false address
during the national Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise.
Prosecuting, Mr Peter Kachirika told the court that Banda
allegedly misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that he
lived in Mt Pleasant, Harare during the BVR exercise. He contested for the Mt
Pleasant House of Assembly which he won.
The address in question is No, 34 Waller Avenue, Mt
Pleasant, Harare. Mr Worship Dumba, a candidate in the Mt Pleasant
parliamentary elections, reported the matter.
Banda appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Learnmore
Mapiye and the trial will continue on April 5.
In his evidence in chief, Mr Chidavaenzi who also contested
for the Mt Pleasant seat told the court that Banda approached him twice after
he had reported to the MDC-Alliance vice president Mr Morgen Komichi.
“The first time I heard Banda had used my address No 34
Waller Avenue, Mt Pleasant was three weeks before elections when he had taken
part in a radio show.
“Thereafter, Banda visited my house and asked me if we
would make a pact that if either one of us lost, the loser would work with the
winner.
“The second time, Banda came around, he said ‘Sorry old man
for using your address’.It was not my doing but that of my campaign manager,”
said Mr Chidavaenzi.
Banda’s lawyer Mr Job Sikala accused Mr Chidavaenzi of
being a bitter loser.
Chidavaenzi denied the allegations saying there was no bad
blood between him and Banda.
“I do not believe I nailed anyone because when the CIO
agents came to my house I just stated facts. I wanted to withdraw the case, but
the police told me that I was not the complainant and the State can only
withdraw the case,” said Chidavaenzi. Herald
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