RETIRED Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nicholas Ndou is yet to hand down judgment on Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) activist Charles Thomas’ treason trial about five months after ordering both the State and defence to make their final submissions.
SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER
Justice Ndou ordered State prosecutor Lavock Masuku and Samuel Pedzisai to make final written submissions on February 3, while defence lawyer Lucas Nkomo, who was being instructed by senior advocate Robert Ndlovu, was ordered to make his by February 10.
Nkomo yesterday said they were still awaiting the judge’s verdict having complied with his order to submit their final written submissions in the case.
“We are still waiting for Justice Ndou to hand down judgment,” said Nkomo. Thomas was arrested by Constable Alex Chidhakwa at Entumbane Complex on March 3 2011.
He claimed he was not given any reasons for his arrest on the day, but was taken to Entumbane Police Station where he was tortured before being transferred to Bulawayo Central Police Station where he was assaulted again. It was the State’s case that Thomas was found distributing MLF flyers and calendars deemed to be subversive by the State.
He denied all charges.
Thomas had been jointly charged with MLF leader Paul Siwela, who skipped bail and fled into self-imposed exile, as well as John Gazi who was acquitted for lack of evidence.
