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Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
BAIL ruling is expected today in the case of CCC faction leader Jameson Timba and 78 other members of his party who are in custody facing charges of disorderly conduct and participation in an unlawful gathering on June 16.
Presiding magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo said the development was caused by the late filing of closing submissions by the State, which in turn also affected the defence counsel.
Through their lawyers, they are denying the charges, arguing that they were merely celebrating the Day of the African Child when they were arrested at Timba’s residence in Strathaven.
The investigating officer opposed bail, saying the suspects were facing a serious offence and also fought with law enforcement agents.
He also contended that the suspects had the propensity of teaming up again and committing a similar offence as evidenced by some CCC members staging a mini demonstration outside court premises last week.
The State alleges that on June 16, this year at around 2pm, police received information that there was an unsanctioned gathering at Timba’s house.
It is alleged that the purpose of the meeting was to plan the staging of unlawful demonstrations in Harare.
Police went to the house where they heard a lot of noise and later saw a large gathering.
Reinforcements were called in when the suspects behaved in a riotous way by throwing stones at a police vehicle that was slightly damaged.
Police had to use tear smoke to control the crowd and managed to arrest the suspects.
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