HARARE - One of the five men accused of attacking MDC deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma has told the court that he is being targeted for being Morgan Tsvangirai’s follower.
Francis Mafimbidzofa, 38, Enock Mukudu, 31, Stefani Tafadzwa Jahwi,36, Samson Tumai Nerwande, 41, and James Chidhakwa, who is already on remand, appeared before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe facing assault charges.
During a bail application, Mafimbidzofa said Mangoma had fingered him to settle political scores.
“This is just politics because I support Morgan Tsvangirai and Mangoma wants to be the MDC president,” he said. “I led the campaign to his appointment as deputy treasurer-general though he claims, in his statement, that he does not know me.
“I would want to stand this trial to shame Mangoma because he must learn to tell the truth.”
Mafimbidzofa said he handed himself over to the police and cooperated with law enforcement agents and has no intention of skipping trial because he is innocent. “Police left a list of names of people that they wanted at CID Law and Order in connection with this matter,” he said. “We handed ourselves over to the police aiming to clear our names off this matter. There is no way I would abscond trial. I don’t even possess a passport and besides I am very willing to tell my side of the story.”
The State is opposed to bail on the basis that accused persons do not own valuable property and are not permanently employed. It also claims accused persons all work at Harvest House and there is a high likelihood they will interfere with witnesses.
Prosecutor Sharon Mashavira alleged that on February 15, Mafimbidzofa, Mukudu, Jahwi, Nerwande, Chidhakwa and others still at large, reportedly waylaid Mangoma outside Harvest House and allegedly assaulted him with open hands and clenched fists.