A BULAWAYO magistrate has ordered three Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists, who were convicted for defacing campaign posters belonging to a rival candidate, to pay US$300 fine each.
The trio was on Monday convicted of defacing campaign posters belonging to Soneni Moyo who had filed her papers as a National Assembly election candidate in the Pelandaba-Tshabalala constituency ahead of the August 2023 elections.
She registered her papers under the banner of the CCC when former deputy national spokesperson Gift Siziba had been endorsed by the party leadership as the sole candidate.
Former councillor Ernest Rafamoyo (55), Simbarashe Dube (39) and Lovewell Mwinde pleaded not guilty.
However, Bulawayo magistrate Shepherd Mjanja convicted the three and sentenced them to a fine of US$300 which should be paid before May 31.
However, the activist’s lawyer, Tinashe Runganga of Tanaka Law Chambers, said they would appeal against conviction and sentence.
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“We are still of the strong view that the conviction and sentencing will not stand scrutiny at the High Court, the superior court, we are going to appeal against this sentencing,” Runganga said.
Last month, Mjanja acquitted Siziba and Tendai Masocha.
It was the State’s case that on August 16 last year, the three were at Pelandaba shops, where they tore Moyo’s posters.
The court heard that the act was witnessed by Methuseli Bhebhe, who informed Moyo before she reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the activists.