Chief Murinye Acquitted in Riverton Academy Extortion Case

Traditional leader Chief Murinye has been acquitted of extortion charges by the Masvingo Regional Court in Zimbabwe, following a successful application for discharge. The case arose from a dispute concerning the establishment of Riverton Academy in his jurisdiction.

Murinye, whose birth name is Ephias Munodawafa, was accused by businessman Philemon Mutangiri of demanding electricity at his homestead and a power connection from his fields to Boroma Dam. Mutangiri also alleged that Murinye demanded his children be enrolled at Riverton Academy for free and indefinitely. The State had claimed that Murinye and another individual blocked Mutangiri's school bus in January to force compliance with these demands.

However, Murinye denied the allegations, asserting that the charges were a result of his objections to the school's construction. His defense argued that the school lacked the required permits, approved plans, and a council resolution. The defense maintained that the core of the dispute was the legality of the school's establishment and land acquisition, not extortion.

At the close of the State's case, the prosecutor requested that Murinye be put on his defense for an alternative charge of disorderly conduct related to the alleged road blockade. The court rejected this, ruling that disorderly conduct was not a competent verdict on the extortion charge and had not been charged alternatively. Consequently, the court acquitted Chief Murinye.

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The complainant is seeking to persecute the accused person through abuse of the criminal justice system.