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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
THE trial of ousted Zanu-PF Harare provincial Youth League chairperson Godwin Gomwe reached a stalemate yesterday after his lawyer and the State failed to reach an agreement on how to proceed.

Gomwe’s lawyer Mr John Ndomene traded harsh words with the prosecutor Ms Patience Chimusaru after the duo failed to agree on whether the trial should be postponed or commence.

Gomwe (34) is facing charges of criminal insult and contravening the Postal and Telecommunications Act by sending grossly offensive, indecent or threatening messages.

Mr Ndomene sought a postponement in the matter, saying he was yet to receive relevant papers from Ms Chimusaru.

“We have not yet received witness statements and we need time to prepare our defence,” said Mr Ndomene.

“Besides, I am not feeling well. I have chest pains and a throbbing headache, I can barely stand.”

Ms Chimusaru opposed the postponement and told the court that Mr Ndomene had ample time to request for the papers.

“This matter was referred to today (yesterday) on June 12,” she said.

“Witnesses were warned and some came from as far as Masvingo.

“There is no proof produced that he is not feeling well. He said he can hardly stand, yet he is standing right now addressing the court.”

This did not go down well with Mr Ndomene who sprang up and cautioned Ms Chimusaru not to take his health for granted.

Harare magistrate Mr Takunda Mutetwa intervened and ruled that the matter be rolled over to today to allow Mr Ndomene to seek medical attention.

It is alleged that on December 5 last year during the Zanu-PF National People’s Congress, Gomwe approached Winnie Madekufa (52) who is also a member of the party.

He told Madekufa that she was a witch and member of a faction now known as Gamatox aligned to former Zanu-PF secretary for the commissariat Mr Webster Shamu.

Gomwe also threatened to incite youths to assault Madekufa, it is alleged.

Gomwe is also accused to insulting a security officer, Mr Pfumayi Samushonga, who is also the party’s Harare central district chairperson, with unprintable words.

This was after Gomwe phoned Samushonga advising him that he had received a letter regarding the attack of Gomwe’s church members.

It is alleged that Gomwe ordered Samushonga not to interfere with Zanu-PF protocols, before shouting the unprintable words.