Magistrate-shortage stalls MDC-T officials’ trial

The high-profile trial of five MDC-T MPs, a senator and a senior party official, who allegedly disrupted a public meeting that was meant to be addressed by self-styled war veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda in Bikita in August last year, failed to kick off again on Monday as there was no magistrate to preside over the case.

Last time, the trial failed to commence as one of the accused, Jani Vharandeni, was out of the country on parliamentary business.

The seven MPs, Tongai Matutu (Masvingo Urban), Heya Shoko (Bikita West), Edmore Marima (Bikita East), Ernest Mudavanhu (Zaka North), Jani Varandeni (Bikita South) Senator Misheck Marava and MDC-T information and publicity secretary for Bikita Vincent Jaricha, will have to be re-summoned to court at a later date.

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