BULAWAYO – A Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) activist who was arrested for allegedly undermining and insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa while testifying during a Motlanthe Commission hearing on October 26 has been hit with a fresh charge of lying under oath.

It turned out that the name, Siphamandla Mafu, which he told the commission investigating the August 1 shooting death of at least six people during opposition protests in Harare is fake and does not appear on his national identity card.

His real name is Wisdom Mkhwananzi.

Mkhwananzi, who was arrested after his testimony at the Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo, was Monday granted $200 bail by Bulawayo magistrate, Rachel Mukanga.

Mukanga ordered him to report to CID law and Order section at the Bulawayo Central Police Station every Monday.

Prosecutors allege that on October 26 at Rainbow Hotel, Mkhwananzi insulted Mnangagwa while testifying a hearing of the commission chaired by the former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe.

“While testifying during the commission of inquiry, Mkhwananzi pointed at the portrait of President of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangangwa, which was posted to the wall and said in English language: ‘I am an orphan because of this man, he killed my parents’,” reads part of the charge.

Prosecutors say Mkhwananzi “engendered a feeling of hostility towards or caused hatred, or ridicule of the president.”

Mkhwananzi is also facing charges of contravening Justice of Peace and Commission of Oaths Act Chapter 7.09 for lying under oath as well as assault charges.

“Mkhwananzi unlawfully and intentionally supplied a false name to the post-election commission of inquiry as Siphathamandla Mafu which is different from his name which appears on his national identity card,” said the state.

Mkhwananzi was also ordered not to interfere with state witnesses and stay at his given address until the matter is finalised.

The courtroom was packed with other MRP activists who came to offer their solidarity.

He is expected back in court on November 13.

Tanaka Muganyi from Zimbabwe lawyers for Human Rights represented Mkhwananzi.

Muganyi accused prison officials of being in contempt of court after they allegedly failed to take Mkhwananzi to the hospital as ordered by the magistrate during his initial court appearance on Saturday.

Muganyi told the court that Mkhwananzi was severely assaulted in police custody following his arrest.