A Gweru councillor accused of assaulting an employee over salaries has claimed he was framed because of factional fighting in the MDC-T party. BY STEPHEN CHADENGA
Kenneth Sithole, councillor for Ward Four, is accused of assaulting Simbarashe Lebo, a driver with the Gweru City Council after the municipality’s employer asked about outstanding salaries.
Sithole told Magistrates’ Courts under cross examination that the charges were meant to derail his campaign to be MDC-T district chairperson for the Gweru urban.
He is the party’s former deputy organising secretary in Midlands South youth assembly.
“I never touched Leboho and I strongly believe these charges are trumped up to smear my name as he (Leboho) belongs to a faction camp in the party against my aspirations to be district chairperson,” Sithole alleged.
He queried a medical affidavit produced in court which indicated that it had emanated from Gweru police traffic unit and had no reference to the alleged assault.
However, Leboho told the court there was a shortage of affidavits at the ZRP Gweru Central Police Station.
According to the prosecution, on March 20 this year, Sithole and Lebo were at council offices attending a disciplinary hearing of an employee, Kudzai Ziurawa.
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Leboho has asked Sithole why council paid salaries late, but the councillor allegedly jumped and grabbed the driver by the neck.
Leboho allegedly suffered a swollen neck and bruises as a result of the assault.
The trial continues on April 27.
