Brilliant Mukaro

Masvingo – The trial of Gutu North MDC A chairman Philip Mahachi and his provincial secretary for cadre ship, development and training Langton Guvava (46) kicked off in Masvingo yesterday with the two denying allegations that they convened an illegal meeting at Zvavahera Business Center on September 19, 2021.

The matter is before Masvingo Magistrate Patience Madondo and the State is being represented by Tarisai Muvengi.
The two MDC activists are out on $2 500 bail each.
Mahachi and Guvava who are being represented by Martin Mureri of Matutu Mureri Legal Practitioners are arguing that they never convened any meeting, either political or non-political at Zvavahera. They would say in court that they instead were at the business centre to drink beer.

The State however, alleges that on September 19, 2021 Gutu Police received information to the effect that Guvava and Mahachi were convening a meeting at Zvavahera with 36 other MDC Alliance supporters.
Police proceeded to Zvavahera and allegedly found the meeting in progress. Mahachi and Guvava who are accused of failing to notify Police about the meeting were arrested and the rest of the supporters dispersed.

Muvengi produced a witness who found the meeting in progress. Shepherd Ngulube, a detective sergeant with the ZRP stationed at Gutu was called as a witness. He said that at around 12pm he received a call from Detective Assistant Inspector Ncube telling him that there was an unsanctioned MDC meeting at Zvavahera.

Ngulube teamed up with Sgt Major Ndlovu, Sgt Mavhangire, Sgt Mandara, Sgt Sibanda using vehicle ZRP 301T driven by Sgt Maseko.
He claimed that they found the meeting underway and asked to see the convenor. They arrested Mahachi and Guvava for failing to produce papers for the meeting.
The trial will continue on January 25, 2022.