Lawyer representing accomplice of slain armed robber quits midway through trial after getting police threats

A TOP Harare lawyer, Musindo Hungwe who was representing one of the suspects and an accomplice of the late slain armed robber, Godknows Machingura has renounced agency midway through trial citing that he has been receiving threats from the police.

Hungwe was representing Paul Zhou (55), who is jointly charged with South African nationals who were part of Machingura’s gang, namely Ndiafhi Makhado (39), Andrew Masubelele (38) and Emmanuel Makamo (22).

Machingura, a well-known music promoter in Zimdancehall circles was shot dead by the police earlier this year after his gang was busted at its hideout before exchanging fire in a high-speed chase with the cops.

He died on admission to Parirenyatwa Hospital.

Now, Advocate Lovemore Madhuku has taken over from Hungwe, who told Harare magistrate Taurai Manuwere that he has been getting unspecified threats from Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide detectives.

Hungwe said he fears for his life and cannot execute his duties well as Zhou’s lawyer because of the intimidation.

“You will notice that over the past remands, I was conspicuous with my absence, and I have a grave concern that I want to bring to the attention of the court,” Hungwe said.

Hungwe told court that they have video footage capturing events at the scene of arrest which they intended to use during trial but after making that announcement threats from the police started.

“Following that announcement, covert and overt efforts have been made to Zhou’s lawyers by members of CID Homicide and people who have links to them trying to influence us not to use the said videos.”

The lawyer said he is bound by oath as such has resisted these requests but has seen it best to quit.

“The threats have continued, threats of unspecified actions upon us as the lawyers if we continue with our approach and you will note from the record that from the inception of this matter, Joseph Nemaisa appeared up until a time I was roped in and we appeared together.

“At some point, Nemaisa disappeared from these proceedings and the explanation for his disappearance is that he was approached directly and indirectly by members of CID Homicide and told in no uncertain terms that they didn’t want him to represent Zhou and if he insisted, he stood at the peril of unspecified action,” he said.

Hungwe also mentioned that his colleague Nemaisa’s former colleagues at the CID Homicide now want to prefer murder charges against him deriving allegations from an incident which allegedly took place over 10 years back.

“As senseless and baseless the allegations may be, one cannot ignore the fact that they are meant to intimidate us and manipulate the outcome of these proceedings to the detriment and prejudice of our client,” said the lawyer.

Representing the state, district public prosecutor Tafara Chirambira said these allegations will be investigated.

“What my colleague has said is disturbing and as the National Prosecuting Authority, we will engage the Zimbabwe Republic Police at the highest level as I can’t leave it to the court, an intensive investigation has to be done and I will give a report to the court,” he said.

The presiding magistrate moved the trial to November 25 after turning down a request by Zhou’s alleged accomplices to have them separated for trial purposes.

Manuwere said the four allegedly acted in common purpose as such they should be tried at once with Zhou.

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