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Komichi removed from remand
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
September 27, 2011

Non-constituency Senator, Morgan Komichi, who had been on trial for allegedly communicating falsehoods, was a relieved man on Monday 26 September 2011 after Hwange Magistrate Ndlovu removed the legislator from remand. Magistrate Ndlovu removed Senator Komichi from remand following an application for refusal of further remand filed by his lawyer Lizwe Jamela of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights last month after one of the witnesses in his case failed to show up in court. The witness failed for the third time in a row to show up in court from where the State was scheduled to lead evidence.

Jamela had on 15 August 2011 applied for Senator Komichi's removal from remand citing the non availability of State witnesses. Only one State witness turned up in court when trial commenced in July.

Magistrate Ndlovu ordered the State to proceed by way of summons if it intends to pursue the matter.

Senator Komichi had been on trial since July for allegedly communicating falsehoods. State prosecutor only identified as Khumalo alleged that Senator Komichi communicated falsehoods when he addressed and told supporters at an MDC rally in Lupane, Matabeleland North province in February last year that the provincial police, led by Officer Commanding Matabeleland North Senior Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai, were unwilling to release three party vehicles that were impounded by the police.

Khumalo claims that Senator Komichi made reference to the impounding of the vehicles at a rally held at Negasha stadium in Lupane early last year where he allegedly said Veterai had confiscated the vehicles to further the interests of ZANU PF. Lupane police impounded Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's campaign vehicle and two others belonging to the party's Matabeleland North province and the Youth Assembly during the run-up to the disputed June 2008 presidential election runoff. The vehicles are decomposing at a police station in Lupane.

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