HARARE – MDC Alliance candidate for Goromonzi West MP Luke Tamborinyoka on Thursday fought back against claims that he defaced campaign posters of a rival, insisting he was nowhere near the scene of the reported incident.

Tamborinyoka is accused by rival Taurai Nhamburo of sticking his flyers on top of his. Both men will appear on the ballot paper for the July 30 elections as MDC Alliance candidates, although Tamborinyoka is the official party representative.

The trial commenced before Harare magistrate Francis Mapfumo.

Tamborinyoka, in his defence, accused Nhamburo of trying to profit from discrediting him.

Nhamburo, he said, was no longer an MDC Alliance member after defying a party order to withdraw his nomination with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

He went on to submit a letter before the courts, written by MDC Alliance national chairperson, Morgan Komichi, and addressed to Nhamburo.

The letter stated that the party had reported Nhamburo to Marondera police for forging Komichi’s signature to have his nomination accepted by ZEC.

“Despite my previous communication to you about the official party position regarding the Goromonzi West parliamentary candidature, I also note that you continue to disparage the official candidate with loud hailers across the constituency and that you are holding meetings  and pasting posters masquerading as the MDC  Alliance parliamentary candidate in contravention of the official party position which has since been communicated to you,” read part of the letter of expulsion purportedly sent to Nhamburo.

Tamborinyoka also denied ever setting his foot at the place where the offence was allegedly committed on June 25.

“He was in Munyawi Village busy meeting with party members and planning for the impending elections,” said his lawyer in defence.

“It is not the duty and or the role of the accused person as an aspiring candidate to be personally present on the ground attending to pasting stickers. Those are delegated tasks which are ordinarily carried out by party youths.”

Nhamburo challenged Tamborinyoka’s testimony.

“It’s a lie that I was expelled from the party. I’m still a lawful candidate for the party and the one who wins the elections between us (him and Tamborinyoka) will be the legislator for the constituency,” said Nhamburo.

State witness, Noel Senzero, said Tamborinyojka personally brought a ladder with his truck and started placing his sticky posters on top of those of Nhamburo.

“I saw him taking the ladder and climbing on a pole to stick his posters on top of the complainant’s posters,” he said.

Tamborinyoka is charged with contravening the Electoral Act together with Tapiwa Murima, 39.

Desire Chidanire is prosecuting.

The case was postponed to July 24 for trial continuation.