By Staff Writer
THE Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) losing parliamentary candidate Patrick Cheza will stay behind the bars for three more weeks following the Mvuma Magistrates Court decision to postpone the matter due to the unavailability of the magistrate.
Allegations are that a group of CCC activists led by losing parliamentary candidate Cheza, beat up Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi following an altercation at a road traffic accident scene in Chirumanzu just before the August 23 polls.
Ironically, cars involved in the crash belonged to adversaries, returning Chirumanzu Member of Parliament (MP) Rwodzi and aspiring CCC candidate Cheza.
It is alleged both politicians rushed to the accident scene, where there was a heated exchange resulting in CCC members led by Cheza beating up Rwodzi.
Cheza is said to have later made a police report about the accident while Rwodzi filed an assault case.
The accused later handed himself to police in company of his lawyer, Esau Mandipa on August 27, 2023.
“The ZRP assures the public that the road traffic accident and the assault case will be handled in line with the country’s laws,” said police national spokesperson Ass Comm Paul Nyathi.
Since then Cheza has been remanded in custody and hopes of him tasting freedom faltered this week.
“Today, our Honorable Patrick Cheza and five others appeared before the Mvuma Magistrates’ Court. Sadly, their case was postponed to 27th October due to the alleged unavailability of the magistrate. This is the second time the matter has been postponed.
“Our lawyer has issued a notice stating that if the trial does not commence on the 27th, the accused individuals must be released from remand. This ongoing persecution of our members through lawfare must stop,” said CCC in a statement.
