MDC Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya and his Redcliff
counterpart, Lloyd Mukapiko, were yesterday acquitted of charges of inciting
violence during the January fuel price hike protests.
Kwekwe magistrate Story Rushambwa concurred with the legal
team for the MPs led by Gweru lawyer Wellington Davira that the State had
failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Chikwinya and Mukapiko spent more than two weeks in
custody, before being granted bail.
The State, led by prosecutor Yemurai Mugumba, had alleged
that the two MDC officials incited public violence during the fuel price hike
protests that rocked
the country in January after President Emmerson Mnangagwa
raised the price by 150 %.
According to the State, the actions of the two led to the
blocking of roads and destruction of property in central Kwekwe.
In an interview with Southern Eye yesterday, the duo’s
lawyer, Davira, said the magistrate had directed himself well in clearing the
MPs of the charges.
“Our clients’ defence was that of alibi. They were not at
the scene of the alleged crimes. That on its own, therefore, saw them being
cleared of the false
charges,” he said.
Chikwinya is a national executive member of the MDC, where
he heads the transport and logistics committee. On the other hand, Mukapiko is
the MDC Midlands
organising secretary.
Davira argued during trial that Chikwinya was at a local
pub during the time he was alleged to have addressed people at Rippaz Shop,
inciting them to turn
violent.
He also told the court that Mukapiko was, in fact, sitting
for a provisional driver’s license at Vehicle Inspection Department at the time
police also alleged
he had addressed people, inciting them to engage in
violence. Newsday
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