A Zanu PF party member Goodman Musariri who is facing three counts of insulting or undermining President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s authority has pleaded not guilty at the commencement of his trial today.
His lawyers, Paidaishe Saurombe and Tinomuda Shoko of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), applied for an exception to the charges arguing that they must be dropped.
They argued that the charge and state outline does not disclose what is undermining or insulting as alleged by the state.
The State led by Samson Chamunorwa alleged that on an unknown date, Musariri posted WhatsApp messages on a Zanu PF Mashonaland Central province group where he denounced Mnangagwa while endorsing Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to take over.
“We agree that the likes of vaMnangagwa, who only has less than 18 years to live on this universe, must maximise his retirement time. After all, he has nothing to offer Zimbabwe except to loot it the more for 18 years,” one of the messages read.
“I recommend that General Chiwenga takes over and be at liberty to formulate a GNU [government of national unity] that will adopt meritocracy, pragmatism and honesty.
“Mnangagwa must resign or retire early and be given a golden handshake as constructive dismissal. He needs the maximum of 18 years that he is left with under this universe!!”
Another message read: “President vanoda kuti vasvike 2030 (he wants to get to 2030)? Thomas Mapfumo goes on to say ‘achida kunyanya kunge achiiteiko aisa nyika munzara yakadai kubva 2017 (what more can he offer he has impoverished the nation)??”
