State witnesses give businessman lifeline

Politics
A PLUMTREE businessman charged with destroying Zanu PF campaign posters sometime in July this year was placed off remand yesterday after 11 appearances after State witnesses continuously failed to attend the court case.

A PLUMTREE businessman charged with destroying Zanu PF campaign posters sometime in July this year was placed off remand yesterday after 11 appearances after State witnesses continuously failed to attend the court case. SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER

Jabulani Mahlangu (34) of A 11 Dingumuzi Township in Plumtree who operates Mphasuthe general dealer and bottle store at Macingwane business centre had been charged for violating the Electoral Amendment Act Chapter 2,13, (destruction of political posters).

Bulawayo magistrate Crispen Mberewere refused to further remand Mahlangu when he appeared in court yesterday after two State witnesses Ian Ncube and Lifias Nkomo failed to attend court for the 11th time.

Mberewere said the case would proceed by way of summons.

Ncube told the court that Mahlangu was given a poster and calendar which he displayed in his shop witnessed by his employee Nozipho Ndlovu.

“The accused travelled to Plumtree town on the day and on his return he discovered that the calendar had been defaced,” Ncube said.

“He inquired from the shop attendants, but Nozipho (Ndlovu) told him she had not noticed as there were many people drinking beer in the shop.”

The lawyer said Mahlangu removed the poster and calendar from the wall. Nkomo and Ncube later asked for it saying they would take it to party leaders and inform them Mahlangu was responsible for defacing it.

A report was made to the police, leading to Mahlangu’s arrest.

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