SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MIDLANDS BUREAU CHIEF

GWERU – Provincial Magistrate, Sangster Tavengwa has acquitted Gweru businessman and former CCC candidate for Chirumhanzu South Patrick Cheza of robbery, assault and malicious damage to property charges.
Cheza (51) was jointly charged with Christopher Mutombeni (33), Tinashe Moyo (47), Alex Gamuchirai (37) and Tanyaradzwa Marimbe (23).
Magistrate Tavengwa said the State failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the crime.
He said the witnesses lacked consistency in their evidence and there was no reliable evidence.
Allegations were that on May 31, 2023, the five assaulted a Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ) member, Justice Dzaguma at Rupepwe Primary School in Chirumanzu.
They are also accused of assaulting another FAZ member Nhamo Muzembi at Shashe Primary School and robbing him of US$ 50. 
It is also alleged that the five damaged a phone pouch valued at US$3 belonging to Philemon Madzivanyika at Mazvimba Primary School and tore a counter book valued at US$1 belonging to another FAZ member Julius Kunodziya.  
Further allegations are that the five disturbed a voter’s roll inspection exercise at the Mazvimba Primary School.
They were represented by Gweru Lawyer, Esau Mandipa of Mandipa and Leopold Mudisi Legal Practitioners.