A businessman aligned with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party has been fined by a Harare magistrate for allegedly assaulting a Zanu PF supporter.
According to the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum), on September 13, 2023, Ngwaru Masadza (49), a businessman from Mt Hampden, was convicted of two charges of assault and a third count of ripping a political poster of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, for an incident that took place on July 30, 2023.
Masadza was arraigned before Harare Magistrate Yeukai Dzuda for assaulting Vimbayi Kahondo, a Zanu PF member.
He was represented by Noble Chinhanu, of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
“A businessman from Mt Hampden aligned to CCC, Ngwaru Masadza (49) has been ordered to pay a fine of US$50 or spend 20 days in prison for assaulting a Zanu PF supporter, Vimbayi Kahondo,” said the Forum in a statement.
The Forum said Masadza was sentenced on September 16, 2023, following his conviction by Magistrate Dzuda for assaulting Kahondo.
“It was alleged that on July 30, 2023, 40 Zanu PF supporters ordered Masadza to close his shop and attend their rally. When Masadza refused, the Zanu PF supporters forcibly closed the door of the shop with him and his wife still inside. Masadza tried to open the door and Kahondo, who was standing behind the door, fell,” said the human rights organisation.
Kahondo reported Masadza to the police, leading to his arrest.
“Whilst the Court found him not guilty of one count of assault and of tearing a political poster, he was found guilty of assaulting Kahondo. Magistrate Dzuda ruled Masadza had opened the door well knowing that doing so had the risk of hurting the complainant who was behind the door and therefore he was guilty of assault,” said the Forum.
