ZANU PF Activists in Gokwe Kidnapping and Torture Cases Convicted, Await Sentencing

Gokwe - A sysndicate of ZANU PF activists, including a Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officer, have been convicted by the Gokwe Magistrates Court on multiple counts of kidnapping, assault and malicious damage to property.

Delivering judgment in a fully contested case, Gokwe Magistrate Thomas Gurajena said the prosecution had presented clear, consistent and compelling evidence linking the accused to both incidents.

“The State has discharged its burden. The evidence before this court proves beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence as charged,” ruled Magistrate Gurajena.

He further hailed prosecutor Florance Mushanduri for presenting a well-structured case, supported by corroborated testimony and medical evidence.

In the first Judgement held on Wednesday afternoon, the ZPCS officer Isheanesu Benjamin Marima, who is also a National Youth Service graduate and ZANU PF Youth League member, was jointly charged with six co-accused over the abduction and assault of commuter omnibus operator, Calisto Muzofa.

The court found that the group acted with common purpose after Muzofa refused to pay an illegal “rank affiliation fee” at Gokwe bus terminus.

Evidence showed that the complainant was forcibly taken to a secluded area where he was assaulted with wooden logs, while his cellphone was destroyed using a firearm.

Medical reports confirmed the injuries, which the court said strengthened the State’s case.

The accused in khakhis while at Gokwe remand prison.

In the other case, Marima together with Collin Masawi (44) and Edwin Chinogwa (33), were convicted of kidnapping, assault and torture involving Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Law and Order Detective Constable Bester Tati.

The court heard that the detective was lured during Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) public hearings in Gokwe before being forced into a vehicle and taken to a remote area near Nembudziya.

There, he was subjected to “falaka” torture, repeated beatings to the soles of the feet, before being dumped at Mutora Business Centre.

The presiding Magistrate said the evidence demonstrated a coordinated and deliberate attack on a law enforcement officer performing official duties.

In both matters, the defence denied the charges, but the court found their version inconsistent and not reasonably possibly true.

Magistrate Gurajena noted that the State’s case was supported direct witness testimony, medical evidence, consistent accounts of events and circumstantial links placing the accused at the scene.

He said the prosecution had successfully established a pattern of organised conduct across the the case.

Marima and his co-accused are expected to return to court for a pre-sentencing hearing, where the court will consider mitigating and aggravating factors before passing sentence.

The convictions conclude proceedings that have drawn national attention due to the seriousness of the offences and Marima’s position as both a political youth figure and serving correctional officer.

All the accused were legally represented by Thomas Militao and Kwekwe based Whatmore Gandi of Mutatu Legal Practitioners.