Two policemen gave identical statements in a case against 5 activists who are facing charges for criminal insult. The five were arrested for allegedly calling police officers “puppets” on 14 October 2016. The activists are Patson Dzamara, Linda Masarira, Makomborero Haruvizishe, Leverage Masvondo and Rangarirai Nhende.
Masimba Masiyatengwa was grilled by defence lawyer Obey Shava on why his statement was identical to the one given by Gift Chingwaru another state witness. Masiyatengwa responded:
The statement describes a similar incident so it’s very possible that our statements are exactly the same. All I can say is that I wrote my own statement.
Shava refuted this saying that only the signatures were different on the two statements showing that they had been written by one person in an effort to secure a conviction against the activists.
After the State closed its case, Shava gave notice that he intended to apply for discharge.
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