Man fined US$200 for assaulting minister Mnangagwa in city parking row
By Staff Reporter
Antony Mwedziwendira, the Harare man accused of assaulting tourism deputy minister Tongai Mnangagwa and his host Wellington Vengesai, was on Monday fined US$200 by a Harare magistrate after admitting to committing the offence.
But his legal troubles were not over yet as he was remanded in custody pending bail ruling on alleged possession of drugs.
Mwedziwendira (30), featured in the news all for the wrong reasons this past week for attacking the top government official.
ALSO READ: PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA’S NEPHEW, MINISTER BASHED IN CITY PARKING ROW
The incident took place during confrontation over parking space soon after a night party in Harare’s Avenues area.
Mwedziwendira appeared before Harare magistrate Apollonia Marutya who imposed an alternative sentence of two months’ imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.
Identified as a security detail at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare, Mwedziwendira is also facing another charge of unlawful possession of drugs and is jointly charged with one Jasper Cephas Kuziva, aged 25.
For the alleged offence, the pair was remanded in custody pending bail ruling.
Prosecutors alleged Mwedziwendira assaulted the minister and his companion following a row over parking space.
Mnangagwa is a nephew to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The court heard that on January 30 at around 10PM, at Number 6 Trud Mansions, corner 6th Street and Five Avenue in Harare, Vengesai accompanied Mnangagwa and Handson Gapa out of his apartment to his motor vehicle parked outside after attending a party held at his flat.
Prosecutors further told the court that on the way to the parking space, Mnangagwa and Gapa encountered a fuming Mwedziwendira who scolded them for blocking other motorists with their vehicles.
Mwedziwendira was said to have accosted and grabbed Mnangagwa by the collar before turning and charging at Vengesai.
The court was also told he grabbed Vengesai’s beard with both hands and mocked him for not shaving.
