High Court Judge, Justice Chinembiri Bhunu has sentenced three members of the Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai to 20 years in prison for the murder of a Policemen, Petros Mutedza who was killed during riots at Glen View Shops in 2011.
Bhunu found the trio Last Maingehama, Yvonne Musarurwa and Tungamirai Madzokere guilty of murdering Mutedza during clashes between MDC-T supporters and Police in Glen View.
In passing his sentence, Justice Bhunu said, “The second Chimurenga started after the killing of Mbuya Nehanda, and this ruling is coming after the killing of a police officer.
“This should be an example to anyone who might think of organizing an unsanctioned demonstration against the government.”
However, Musarurwa shouted to the party members and relatives attending the court not to get worried about the sentence.
“Do not be worried, we will be back! Chisa mbama Chisa!” shouted Musarurwa as she was leaving the dock for prison.
Addressing journalists after the High court sentence, MDC-T Secretary General Doglous Mwonzora said that the sentence was politicized.
“This is an act of politics and it is a shame to the judiciary system of this country and we will appeal against this judgment,” said Mwonzora.
He added, “We still maintain that our members are innocent and we will clean the judiciary after we take over power in 2018.”
Thokozani Khupe, the party’s Vice President also promised that MDC-T will clear the judiciary system once they are in government.
“This is only a Zanu PF strategy to get rid of the opposition but God knows that these three are innocent and we will deal with this once we take over in 2018 elections,” she said.
The party’s Youth Assembly President Happymore Chidziva reinforced the fact that the convicted party members are innocent.
“These three are innocent and it is only that Mugabe’s regime wants to intimidate us. We the youths of Zimbabwe we will never be threatened by you silly acts,” said Chidziva.
Meanwhile, the trio’s lawyer has indicated that they will appeal against the sentence on Tuesday next week.
