adminHarare Bureau
THE state yesterday surprised the court when it consented to bail for 24 members of the Johanne Masowe eChishanu apostolic sect who are accused of assaulting police, journalists and Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe officials. Harare provincial magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe said the prosecutors lacked professionalism by calling for bail for the 24 when barely 12 hours earlier they had vehemently opposed bail for three of their accomplices.
He blasted the prosecution for making conflicting decisions and said it was being unprofessional by blowing “hot and cold” on the case.
Chikwekwe denied the 24 bail, saying prosecutors Francesca Mukumbiri and Gift Zumbika should consider the safety of the suspects and the interest of justice.
“Less than 12 hours ago, the state was opposing the admission to bail of the three other accused persons and today they have changed their mind and are no longer opposing, what professionalism is this?” Chikwekwe said.
“In short, the court is of the view that the release of the accused persons on bail will cause chaos and public outcry. Granting them bail will also endanger their lives and it would not be in the interest of justice.”
Emmanuel Sigauke, 37, Laston Marandure, 23, Jonah Murahwa, 36, Taurai Supiya, 36, Shadreck Mashonganyika, 25, Robert Paradzai, 35, Tafa Chakwara, 36, Kudzanai Tichaona Kusekwa, 31, Cabson Chandawona, 43, Alton Makando, 31, Ashton Chinhoyi, 31, Abisha Mutandwa, 30, and Brian Machingura, 18, are being charged with public violence.
Others facing the same fate are Nathan Muparadzi, 39, Tavengwa Gwenzi, 46, Tichafa Madyegure, 41, Munaro Singadi 42, Ziwanai Nyatikonde, 30, Johannes Makumbe, 39, Paul Mapikata, 32, Simango Mharadza, 45, Tachiva Patrick Munemo, 37, Cephas Muwona, 22 and Reggis Bute, 31. Their accomplices Milton Murinda, 38, Dennis Banda, 16, and John Mutasa, 40, appeared in court on Monday, while their leader Madzibaba Ishmael Mufani is still on the run.
They are all not being represented and will be back in court on June 16.
The group of 24, which was in leg irons and handcuffs, told the court that they were assaulted by the police while in custody, adding that they were also denied food since they were arrested over the weekend.
One of the accused persons said: “Your worship, we have complaints against the police. While in police custody we were heavily assaulted and ever since we were arrested we were denied food and only ate today when we were coming to court. Due to the assault, I am having hearing problems.”
One of them interjected saying: “takaridzirwa futi pfuti (the police fired shots at us).”
Chikwekwe justified denying them bail, saying that the serious allegations made by the group against the police needed to be investigated by the state.
He also said that if indeed they were assaulted, they needed medical attention.
Mukumbiri made an undertaking to investigate the allegations levelled against the police. It is alleged that at around 11AM on May 30, ACCZ president Bishop Johannes Ndanga, his delegation and 26 police officers went to Mufani’s sect to address the gathering over issues of denying children education and other matters.
Bishop Ndanga, the court heard, delivered his address while the gathering sang and challenged him to speak in Shona, arguing they were not conversant with English.
Bishop Ndanga then told the police to arrest a congregant who was interjecting.
In protest, other congregants started singing an inciting song called “Umambo wepfumo neropa” and later the congregants allegedly used knobkerries and stones to assault the delegation.
Online Reporter