Nyasha Marumbi
MASVINGO – Zanu PF Bikita Ward 22 women’s league chairperson, Juliet Mhurai Jecha (51) on Monday appeared before magistrate Takawira Mugabe for allegedly beating an opposition member who had joined the queue to receive free rice that was being distributed at a Zanu PF rally late last year.
The accused pleaded guilty and was remanded to September 14 for sentencing.
Jecha, who resides in Bikita, Dzingirai village under Chief Mukanganwi, allegedly assaulted Memory Mugari (30) a member of Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) of Gore village.
It is the State’s case that on December 20, 2016 at around 14:00 hrs Mugari and Jecha were at Gangarahwe business centre where Zanu PF was distributing free rice to its supporters.
Jecha is alleged to have asked Mugari what she wanted at a Zanu PF gathering given that she had been seen at a ZimPF rally that had been held at the same place some two days before and the former replied that she was only there to collect rice.
This did not go down well with Jecha who then allegedly struck Mugari several times with open hands, fists, booted feet and a log all over her body before people came to restrain her.
Asked by the magistrate why she assaulted Mugari, Jecha told the court that she was offended that the complainant wanted to benefit at the expense of Zanu PF supporters.
“Yanga iri nguva yema by-elections ema MP aripo izvozvi, ndanga ndaona kut Memory ndewe kune rimwe bato uye anga atora rice vamwe vekubato rekwangu vashaiwa uye ndanga ndaona seanga atotipedzera ndosaka ndakamurova,” Jecha said.
The complainant was medically examined at Silveira Hospital where it was established that she had sustained moderate injuries and the medical affidavit was produced in court as an exhibit.
Edmond Mapope represented the State.local
