GOKWE -- A High Court judge will next month hear the case of Farai Machaya, the son of Midlands governor Jason Machaya and Isaac Gana, who are accused of murdering an MDC activist Moses Chokuda.

The court, in circuit in Gweru, is expected to hear the grisly details of the murder of Chokuda, and how authorities have shown an indifferent attitude as the deceased’s body lies decomposing at the dilapidated local hospital mortuary.

Tavengwa Chokuda, the murdered MDC activist's father has refused to bury his
son until the Machayas and his accomplice apologise for killing his son.

Chokuda says the police have attempted to force him to bury his son, but he stood his ground.

"I cannot proceed with the burial before getting a clear explanation from his murderers," the elder Chokuda said.

Governor Machaya is apparently refusing to apologise and is said to have attempted to have the Chokuda’s corpse given a pauper’s burial but was thwarted by provincial police authorities who say it is legal to conduct a pauper’s when the relatives of the deceased are known.

Chokuda’s father says he wants a full disclosure of the circumstances and motive leading to his son's death, an open and public apology, and justice.

Machaya and Gana are said to have used a Zanu (PF) Midlands province vehicle to abduct Chokuda and gruesomely murder him in the lead in to the June 2008 run off vote at Masakadza business centre, 50 km from Gokwe centre.

The two were arrested and charged with murder, but were freed on bail. The initial remand took place in Gokwe and now the case goes to the High Court in Gweru.

By Staff reporter and agencies