Patrick Cheza Triumphs in Legal Showdown Over Assault Allegations

The Masvingo High Court has issued a default judgment favoring Patrick Cheza and four other Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members in a controversial case involving Barbra Rwodzi.

Cheza, the losing CCC candidate for Chirumhanzu in the 2023 elections, faced allegations of inciting violence after a traffic incident spiraled into accusations of assault against Rwodzi.

The allegations stemmed from a minor collision involving Cheza’s driver and a vehicle belonging to George Chengeta Rwodzi, the son of the ZANU PF parliamentary winner, on August 24, 2023.

Upon arriving at the scene, Cheza reportedly found Barbra Rwodzi already present. It was claimed that he incited his supporters to attack her, sparking a contentious legal battle.

Prosecutors alleged that Magmaster Chidyawuye, one of the CCC activists, intentionally tripped the government minister and attempted to stab her in the face during the altercation.

While on the ground, the minister was reportedly subjected to further assault, as other CCC supporters allegedly joined in, kicking her repeatedly in the chaotic scene.

Justice Sensley Zisengwe of the Masvingo High Court dismissed the charges after the Prosecutor General and Gweru Presiding Magistrate failed to file key documents required for the case.

The court’s decision to dismiss the charges was seen as a significant relief for Cheza, who had been embroiled in the allegations of instigating public violence for months.

Legal representation for Cheza was provided by human rights lawyers Esau Mandipa and Leopold Mudisi, who argued that the case lacked substantial evidence to proceed.

The allegations against Cheza and his co-accused—Elias Maduveko, Chidyawuye, Delight Zinyemba, and Courage Mugova—became a focal point of political tension between CCC and ZANU PF.

Rwodzi, who won the Chirumhanzu seat in 2023, had maintained that the attack was politically motivated, a claim dismissed by CCC supporters as an attempt to stifle opposition voices.

Change Radio, an independent platform, reported that the dismissal underscored the state’s failure to substantiate charges, raising questions about the impartiality of justice in politically charged cases.

Cheza, accompanied by his wife during court proceedings, expressed gratitude to his legal team and supporters, describing the judgment as a victory for justice and democracy.

This judgment comes amid increasing scrutiny of Zimbabwe’s judiciary, which opposition parties allege is often weaponized to silence dissent and suppress democratic participation.

Observers noted that the case’s resolution highlighted the need for greater accountability in handling politically sensitive legal matters within the country’s justice system.

As the legal dust settles, the verdict may embolden opposition members, who have frequently faced arrests and accusations of violence in their clashes with ZANU PF.

This development is a reminder of the political complexities in Zimbabwe, where legal battles frequently intersect with issues of power and governance in the broader electoral landscape.