Zimbabwe state case against prominent MDC Alliance lawyer Thabani Mpofu and Tapiwa Makanza has collapsed after Simbarashe Zuze, a man represented by the lawyers has proved he is alive. The state arrested the two lawyers for representing a non existent applicant.
In a video, Simbarashe Zuze said, “Hallo, my name is Simbarashe Zuze ID Number 633 Today is the 7th of June 2020. This sis a swon video statement. I made my application through my lawyer Mr Tapiwa Makanza of Bakasa, Nyamayaro and makanza challenging the appointment of Prosecutor General Hwodzi and i signed my afidait in front of advocate Joyce Shamiso and i produced my ID and passport. These documents have been vrified by the police law and order department at Harare Central police station. My lawyer Mr Makanza has the names of the officers who interviewed me at Harare Central Police Station. For any further information i refer you to my lawyer Mr tapiwa Makanza. The information was briefed to Thabani Mpofu by my lwayer Mr Makanza.”
The state case against Thabani Mpofu and Tapiwa Chikanza is that the two lawyers filed a case of a non existent person Simbarashe Zuze. Mpofu was arrested five days ago and charged him with defeating or obstructing the course of justice. Mpofu spent two nights at Rhodesville Police Station before being released on $20,000 bail.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner, Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest saying arrest of saying Advocate Thabani Mpofu is accused of contravening Section 184 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:233 defeating or obstructing the course of justice between January 2019 to 7 February 2019.
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Another lawyer Tapiwa Chikanza has also been arrested today on the same case just a few hours before Zuze confirmed his existence.
Policitical analysts and opposition party members believe the state is falsely accusing the lawyers in a way to intimidate them from representing the MDC Alliance. The international community condemned the false prosecution of lawyers to settle political matters.
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#REVEAL We have found Simbarashe Zuze on whose account three lawyers have been arrested for filing his affidavit challenging appointment of Kumbirai Hodzi as PG. Authorities say he doesn't exist. He says he exists pic.twitter.com/CD5pcgK205
— ZimLive (@zimlive) June 7, 2020