Mnangagwa

Comrades in life and dea..th, war veterans buried side by side

By Staff Reporter
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1747
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July 30, 2025

TWO veterans of the liberation struggle who died in a tragic accident near Kaguvi Training Centre in Gweru last week, have been buried at the Midlands Provincial Heroes Acre.

The late Cde Abias Pelile and Cde Solomon Nhondova died when a Goversberg bus was involved in a head-on collision with a small lorry they were travelling in just outside Gweru, killing them on the spot.

Cde Pelile, whose Chimurenga name was Cde Zvombo Zvehondo, joined the liberation struggle in 1977.

After independence he was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army as a private and rose through the ranks to Warrant Officer Class Two until his retirement in 2006.

Like his counterpart, Cde Nhondova whose Chimurenga name was cde Garikai MuZANU joined the liberation struggle in 1977.

At independence, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army as a sergeant and rose through the ranks to become Staff Sergeant until his retirement in 1986.

Relatives and colleagues spoke glowingly about the two’s relationship and legacy.

“I grew up with Cde Pelile. Whatever he would do I used to do the same. This is the only journey he has travelled without informing me. These guys were more than friends as they were now family. They would do everything together, so the loss is for the twins. We have indeed lost.”

“I have been given the mandate to speak on behalf of the Nhondova family, but I would have done an injustice to separate the two as they were like brothers. They were the same family. They were friends who departed at the same time. It’s a double tragedy for both families. They gave us a legacy of togetherness as a people,”

“Our hearts are bleeding as we continue to lose lives. We have lost as a party. They were both involved in the same accident as they were buddies.”

“These were some of the few Cdes who managed to stand firm in support of the legacy of the liberation struggle. Every time we would convene a meeting, they were alive and active in our programmes,” they said.

Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Owen Ncube says the nation has lost some gallant sons who sacrificed their youth for the liberation of the country.

“To Cde Pelile and Cde Nhondova; today the Midlands Province salutes you as we take great lessons from your commitment, selflessness and sacrifice towards the struggle to define our destiny. Our Cdes fought for the political and later economic empowerment of the black majority during both the Second and Third Chimurenga, symbolically turning bayonets into plough shares after independence.”

The death of the two veterans of the liberation struggle comes at a time when the nation is preparing for the 45th Heroes Day celebrations set for the 11th of next month.

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DUI Defense Lawyer: Common Legal Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

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DUI Defense Lawyer: Common Legal Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

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A DUI arrest is not the same as a conviction. Prosecutors must prove the case, and the defense has the right to challenge the evidence.

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A DUI defense lawyer looks for legal, factual, and technical problems in the government’s case.

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Every DUI case is different. Some defenses focus on the traffic stop. Others focus on field sobriety tests, chemical testing, officer procedure, or whether the person was actually impaired.

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Defense 1: Illegal Traffic Stop

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Police usually need a legal reason to stop a driver.

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Possible stop reasons include:

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Speeding
rnSwerving
rnRunning a red light
rnExpired tag
rnEquipment violation
rnAccident investigation
rnReasonable suspicion of impaired driving

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If the stop was not legally justified, evidence gathered after the stop may be challenged.

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Defense 2: No Probable Cause for Arrest

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Even if the stop was legal, the officer must have enough evidence to make a DUI arrest.

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A lawyer may review:

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Driving behavior
rnOfficer observations
rnSpeech
rnBalance
rnOdor of alcohol
rnField sobriety tests
rnStatements
rnVideo evidence
rnMedical conditions

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If probable cause was weak, the arrest may be challenged.

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Defense 3: Field Sobriety Test Problems

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Field sobriety tests are not always reliable.

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A person may perform poorly because of:

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Medical conditions
rnAnxiety
rnFatigue
rnAge
rnInjury
rnPoor footwear
rnUneven ground
rnWeather
rnBad instructions
rnLanguage barriers

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A DUI lawyer may compare the officer’s report to body camera or dash camera video.

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Defense 4: Breath Test Issues

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Breath testing can be challenged if the machine or procedure was flawed.

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Potential issues include:

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Improper calibration
rnLack of maintenance
rnOfficer certification problems
rnMouth alcohol
rnVomiting or burping before test
rnMedical conditions
rnImproper observation period
rnRadio frequency interference claims
rnTesting outside required time windows

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A breath result is only as strong as the procedure behind it.

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Defense 5: Blood Test Problems

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Blood tests may be challenged based on:

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Improper blood draw
rnContamination
rnChain of custody
rnStorage problems
rnLab errors
rnFermentation
rnTesting delays
rnDocumentation gaps
rnQualified person requirements

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A lawyer may request lab records and review whether the sample was handled properly.

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Defense 6: Rising Blood Alcohol

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A rising blood alcohol defense argues that the person’s BAC was lower while driving and rose by the time of testing.

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This may be relevant when there is a delay between the stop and the chemical test.

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The defense depends on drinking timeline, food intake, body weight, test timing, and expert analysis.

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Defense 7: Medical Conditions

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Some medical conditions can affect DUI evidence.

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Examples may include:

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Diabetes
rnAcid reflux
rnNeurological disorders
rnBalance disorders
rnEye conditions
rnInjuries
rnFatigue
rnAnxiety
rnMedication side effects

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A medical issue does not automatically defeat a DUI charge, but it may explain certain observations.

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Defense 8: Not Actually Driving

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Some cases involve people found in parked vehicles.

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Legal issues may include:

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Was the person driving?
rnWas the engine on?
rnWhere were the keys?
rnWas the vehicle operable?
rnWas the person sleeping?
rnDid anyone witness driving?

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State laws vary on what counts as driving or actual physical control.

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Defense 9: Police Report vs. Video Evidence

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Police reports sometimes make a case look stronger than video shows.

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A DUI lawyer may review:

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Body camera footage
rnDash camera footage
rnBooking video
rnRoadside testing video
rnAudio recordings
rnJail observation video

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Video can confirm or contradict officer claims.

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Defense 10: Constitutional Violations

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A DUI case may involve constitutional issues such as:

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Unlawful stop
rnUnlawful search
rnImproper questioning
rnViolation of rights
rnImproper detention
rnLack of warrant where required

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A lawyer may file motions to suppress evidence if legal rights were violated.

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Final Thoughts

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A DUI defense lawyer does not rely on one-size-fits-all arguments. The defense depends on the evidence.

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Traffic stop, arrest procedure, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, video evidence, and constitutional issues all matter.

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If you are charged with DUI, get the evidence reviewed before deciding what to do next.

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