MDC vice-chairperson Tendai Biti yesterday lost his cool in court when he clashed with State prosecutor Michael Reza whom he said should r...
MDC vice-chairperson Tendai Biti yesterday lost his cool in
court when he clashed with State prosecutor Michael Reza whom he said should
recuse himself.
The pair nearly exchanged blows as temperatures rose in
court. Biti has been charged with violating the Electoral Act for allegedly
announcing that MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa had won the presidential
elections.
“I am going to sue you for that! Did I shoot anyone? Why
don’t you accuse the army?” Biti fumed at Reza. His lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa said
that Reza was now conflicted after writing an affidavit accusing Biti of
playing a hand in the killing of the people by the army.
“Your Worship, Reza, who in terms of the law, is supposed
to be impartial, filed an affidavit and made averments that are a cause for
concern and such averments cannot be made by an impartial prosecutor. Reza said
Biti’s assassination attempt claim was only political grandstanding. He
proceeded by saying the violence committed in the CBD [central business
district], which claimed the lives of people, were carried out by MDC
supporters. What independent prosecutor says that?”
But Reza told the court that Biti had raised political
statements, which required a political response. He further said Biti referred
to a legitimate government as a “military junta government”, which is a
derogatory expression.
Mtetwa urged Reza to recuse himself, accusing him of
furthering the interests of his political masters and not of justice. However,
Takundwa postponed the matter to November 15 for ruling.
COMMENTS