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MDC Director-General Toendepi Shonhe's trial ends
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
Jul 22, 2009

The trial of MDC Director-General, Toendepi Shonhe, who is facing trumped-up perjury charges ended today at the Harare Magistrate's Court and ruling will be made on 14 August 2009.

Tomorrow, magistrate Kudakwashe Njerambini will make a ruling on an application by the defence to relax Shonhe's bail conditions. The defence wants the State to release his passport to enable him to attend class at the University of Witwatersrand, where he is a part-time student.

Shonhe, who is denying the charges, was arrested last month for perjury under Section 183 (1) of Criminal Law and Codification Reform Act and is accused of having lied under oath. The State is alleging that he swore to an affidavit that three members of the MDC had been re-abducted by State security agents in Banket, Mashonaland West, on 2 June 2009.

The trial ended with the third State witness, Chief Superintendent, Peter Magwenzi testifying.

Magwenzi is being implicated in having led the abductions of the three MDC supporters among other party and civil society activists, including two year-old Nigel Mutemagau, who are facing trumped-up charges of banditry.

Evidence that was brought before the courts by the defence clearly showed that Magwenzi and other State security agents re-abducted the three MDC activists on 2 June.

In an affidavit filed at the High Court on 3 June 2009, Fani Tembo, who is one of the abductees, said he was forced to get into a police truck on 2 June by Magwenzi without even bathing. He alleges he was not even given the chance to bid his family farewell.

Shonhe's lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, told Magwenzi under cross-examination that the High Court record was clear that he had abducted Tembo and his colleagues.

The other two abductees are, Lloyd Tarumbwa and Terri Musona.

In his submissions, Muchadehama applied for discharge.

"Going by the evidence of the State the accused person contends that there is no prima facie case against him. The accused person will therefore apply for a discharge at the close of the State case," Muchadehama said.

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