By A Correspondent| Harare Magistrate Estere Chivasa has acquitted Ward 10 Councillor Clayd Mashozhera, along with Noel Munhuwei and Daudi Jessub, of three counts of attempted murder and one count of malicious damage to property.

The court ruled in their favor, citing the State’s failure to provide sufficient evidence to support the charges.

The accused, represented by lawyers Harrison Nkomo and Tapiwa Muchineripi, maintained their innocence throughout the trial, pleading not guilty to all accusations.

The charges originated from an incident on August 22, 2023, when Cyril Nyauchi, a ZANU PF candidate for Ward 10, alleged that he and his colleagues, Artwell Marwa and Spencer Mudarikwa, were attacked while distributing food to ZANU PF election agents in Sunningdale.

Nyauchi claimed that their Toyota Spacio was blocked near the Metro Peach entrance at the corner of Seke Road and Boshoff Drive by vehicles allegedly linked to the accused. He further alleged that Mashozhera, Munhuwei, Jessub, and others emerged from the vehicles wielding axes, golf clubs, whips, and batons.

Speaking outside the Harare Magistrates’ Court following their acquittal, the trio expressed relief and gratitude.

“We are grateful to the court for seeing the truth and delivering justice. From the beginning, these allegations were baseless and aimed at tarnishing our reputations,” said Cllr Mashozhera.

Munhuwei shared similar sentiments, stating, “We’ve always believed in our innocence, and today’s ruling vindicates us.”

The trio’s legal troubles date back to their arrest after the 2023 general elections. Sunningdale MP Maureen Kademaunga, who had been arrested alongside them, was cleared earlier when the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) dropped charges of attempted murder, citing a lack of evidence linking her to the alleged crime.