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Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge Bureau

POLICE have arrested seven youths from the opposition CCC for ganging up and assaulting the Deputy Mayor of Beitbridge, Councillor John Manatsa, who they accused of sympathising with the party’s interim secretary general Mr Sengezo Tshabangu.

The assault took place while the deputy mayor was attending a political meeting at the home of recalled Beitbridge West legislator Mr Morgan Ncube.

The house is also used by the opposition party as its office in the district.

Anthony Shoko (28), Winston Mugudo (25), Aaron Makumbe (24), Miller Kuwe (31), Decent Dube (35), Forget Chirenda (35), and Cosmas Chimonyo (23) have been charged with assault and theft of R2 500 and US$1 800 from the complainant during the assault.

The gang was released on $300 000 bail pending trial when they appeared before Beitbridge resident magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba on Monday.

They were ordered to report to the nearest police station once a week and not to interfere with State witnesses among other bail conditions.

Prosecuting, Mr Ronald Mugwagwa said on March 6, the complainant was attending a CCC meeting at the party offices when the seven accused persons approached him.

He said Shoko told Councillor Manatsa to leave the house, saying that he doesn’t belong to the faction of the party led by Mr Nelson Chamisa, but to the faction led by Mr Tshabangu.

The suspects then lifted him from where he was seated and dragged him outside the house. They assaulted him and threw him to the ground. The court heard that the gang also pulled him out of the yard and threw him on the road and he sustained some back injuries and a swollen left arm.

During the assault, the accused persons took away his shoes, a small bag containing R2 500, US$1 800, and a cell phone.

They later threw the items over the perimeter wall after allegedly ransacking the bag and taking the money.

A report was made to the police leading to the accused persons’ arrest a few days later.