Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
OPPOSITION figure, Tendai Biti who was arrested last Saturday on allegations of convening a meeting in Mutare without notifying authorities was today granted US500 bail by Mutare magistrate, Mr Honest Musiiwa.
Biti who was arrested together with former Beitbridge mayor, Morgan Ncube were also ordered not to convene and address public gatherings without seeking authority from Regulatory Authority.
Biti was ordered to surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court in Mutare, and Ncube was ordered not to apply for a fresh passport until the matter is finalised.
The two are to report twice every week on Monday and Friday at their nearest CID Law and order station. They were also ordered not to interfere with witnesses directly or indirectly.
The State represented by Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira consented to bails and told the court that Biti and Ncube allegedly contravened Section 7(5) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, Chapter 11.23: ‘Convener fail to notify regulating authority of intention to hold a public meeting’ when they held a meeting to discuss the proposed constitutional amendments.
“Luxton Tendai Biti, being the convener of Constitutional Defender’s Forum and Morgan Ncube being the national programmes director of the Constitutional Defenders Forum, acting in common purpose one or both of them convened a public meeting at Number 26B, Carrington Darlington, Mutare which is a place commonly known for holding public political meetings for MDC Alliance and Citizens Coalition for Change without the authority of the Regulating Authority for Mutare Central District.
“The meeting was attended by about 30 members of the public including a journalist from Wasu Post who are not or members of or position holders in the Constitutional Defenders Forum. The meeting was convened to discuss Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 which they were not mandated to do so. The responsibility and obligation of discussing publicly the Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 lies on the parliamentary portfolio committee. Those in attendance were wearing T-Shirts inscribed #Our Constitution our fight, #Miswai and Hands off our Constitution,” said Mr Mutyasira.
The duo will be back in the dock on April 13 for routine remand.
They are being represented by Mr Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners.
