Newsnet Boss Mandizvidza In Court
Reporting by the Herald
Harare
NewsNet editor-in-chief Tazzen Mandizvidza appeared at the Harare magistrates’ courts on Tuesday on charges of presenting a fake drivers licence to the police. Mandizvidza (33) was not asked to plead to charges of contravening the Road Traffic Act when he was brought before magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga.
Defence lawyer Mr Tendai Mapfunde of Manase and Manase Legal Practitioners told the court that he needed time to study the State papers that he had just received, and the trial was postponed to September 21 this year.He was released on free bail since his case was brought on summons.

Charges against Mandizvidza are that on June 6 2004, he was driving along Sam Nujoma Street in Harare when he was involved in an accident.It is alleged that the police instructed Mandizvidza to produce his driver’s licence, vehicle registration book and insurance to any police station within seven days.The State alleges that Mandizvidza presented to the police a metal driver’s licence with his date of birth as December 5 1973, licence number 55111AM and his picture.

Mandizvidza was given back his particulars and he went away.After some time, the police made checks with the Central Vehicle Registry and discovered that the licence Mandizvidza had presented to the police actually belonged to one Gibson Boroma of Budiriro.The State alleges that Mandizvidza knew very well that the licence was bogus and that soon after the incident, he travelled to Plumtree where he acquired a genuine driver’s licence that he is currently using.Prosecutor Mr David Manavele said Mandizvidza had no right whatsoever to act in the manner he did.