HARARE - Four Kadoma Zanu PF activists accused of murdering “a political sell-out” during the 2008 bloody presidential election run-off are now trading accusations in court.

Nobert Muzhingi, Thabani Mashonganyika, Sikhumbuzo Madhuveko and Mangisi Mutandavari are all facing murder charges.

Their alleged accomplice Stabiliser Kadafi, also known as Chuck Norris is still on the run.

Madhuveko and Mutandavari told the court they saw Muzhingi and Mashonganyika assaulting the now deceased John Max all over his body using switches.

Mutandavari yesterday said the team that murdered Max was being led by Kadafi, the then Zanu PF district youth leader.

In their defence outline, the four denied being part of the people that murdered Max.

The court heard how Max left home for a beer drink at Chidhuri Buffalo, Kadoma, in August 2008.

It is alleged that he was approached by the five men, who were also in the company of Lovemore Nyikadzino, Tinashe Makaurire and Paul Muzenda.

The gang allegedly took Max to a nearby bush where they forced him to lie down as they took turns to assault him using a switch.

They accused Max of being a political sell-out and giving evidence against them in an assault case during the presidential election run-off.

Max died moments later after the gang dumped him at his house.

Trial of the four on murder charges comes after four other Zanu PF-aligned Chipangano youth militia who assaulted a teenage boy were slapped with a three-year jail term.

Magistrate Fadzai Mthombeni recently jailed John Zuze, Antonio Zuze, Alexander Kadziti and Cosmos Muguzumbi for assaulting a 15-year-old Mbare boy in 2011.

Another Zanu PF supporter who unleashed violence at the funeral wake of political and human rights activist Vimbai Mbisva suffered the same fate after being jailed for four-and-half years.

Modcay Svosvera, a 29-year-old, was facing public violence charges. - Tendai Kamhungira