3 MDC-T Activists Get 20 Years in Jail Each for Killing Police Officer

  • Gibbs Dube

Omunye walabo abagwethiweyo uNkosikazi Yvonne Musarurwa.

Three activists of the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai, who were recently found guilty of killing a policeman in 2011, were on Monday sentenced to 20 years in jail each.

High Court judge Chinembiri Bhunu said the state proved beyond any reasonable doubt that Tungamirai Madzokere, Yvonne Musarurwa and Last Maengahama killed Inspector Petros Mutedza in Glenview following street skirmishes in the suburb.

Their accomplice, Phineus Nhatarikwa, convicted of being an accessory to the crime, was fined $500 and sentenced to a three-year suspended jail term on condition he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

One of the suspects, Rebecca Mafikeni, died while in police custody while three others were set free by the courts.

The defense team indicated that it will appeal against the conviction, which it described as too harsh.

MDC-T officials express shock over the incarceration of the three claiming that they had no case to answer. They claimed that their conviction and sentencing is politically-motivated.