A TRIAL date has been fixed in the case of two Zanu PF officials accused of a bizarre witchcraft murder plot targeting war veterans leader Joseph Chinotimba and former cabinet minister Kumbirai Kangai.

Zvenyika Machokoto and Judith Muodzeri will stand trial on July 28 after a Mutare magistrate rejected their application to be removed from remand on Thursday.

The two, both members of Zanu PF’s Bhuera district coordinating committee (DCC), are accused of a “conspiracy to engage in practices of witchcraft”.

Their lawyer, Peter Makombe, had applied for their discharge arguing that prosecutors had failed to present witnesses to commence the trial delayed since March 16 this year.

But Andrew Motsi, prosecuting, argued that the state witnesses would be ready by the next hearing date, and Mutare magistrate Enia Ndiraya agreed to give the state more time.

Machokoto and Muodzeri, believed to be a couple, are accused of consulting a self-styled prophet who was asked to concoct witchcraft-induced methods to kill their Zanu PF rivals whom they accused of thwarting their rise to the party’s upper ranks.

Targeted for “assassination”, prosecutors say, were former Lands Minister Kangai, war veterans’ leader Chinotimba, Buhera North MP William Mutomba and Zanu PF Buhera DCC members Kenneth Madziturira, Tapiwa Zengeya and Saul Tshuma.

If the murder plot had succeeded, it is alleged, Mochokoto and Muodzeri would have then gone on to represent the party in the parliamentary and Senate elections.