JUDGMENT for Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) activist Charles Thomas charged with treason for allegedly planning to topple President Robert Mugabe’s government through unconstitutional means, has been set for Friday this week after almost eight months of waiting after the State and defence were ordered by the judge to make final submissions.
SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER
Thomas’ case was being heard by retired Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nicholas Ndou, who at the close of the State case dismissed his application for discharge and put him on his defence.
After Thomas’ defence case, Ndou ordered the State, represented by Lavock Masuku and Samuel Pedzisai to make their final written submissions on the case on February 3 this year while the defence lawyer for Thomas, Advocate Lucas Nkomo instructed by senior Advocate Robert Ndlovu, was asked to make submissions on February 10.
Ndlovu confirmed that the judgment had been set for Friday. 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.
