Five MDC-T activists in court over violence

(21) were arrested last week after they disrupted a sanctioned Gweru Residents and Ratepayers’ Association demonstration by chanting and waving placards bearing MDC-T slogans.
The five, who were represented by Mr Reginald Chidawanyika of Chitere, Chidawanyika and Partners, pleaded not guilty to the charges of inciting public violence.
They were remanded on $50 bail each to 15 February.
They were also ordered to remain at their given addresses and report at Gweru Central Police Station every Saturday as part of their bail conditions.
For the State, Mr Michael Mhene told the court that on Friday last week, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers’ Association organised a demonstration to protest against poor service delivery by the Gweru City Council.
Mr Mhene said police sanctioned the demonstration and escorted the residents as they took to the street.
The court heard that during the demonstrations, a group of MDC-T activists, who were allegedly hired by some councillors opposed to the demonstrations, then disrupted the proceedings by getting into the crowd.
After joining the crowd of genuine demonstrators, the accused then allegedly started chanting MDC-T slogans while waving placards written, “Zanu yaparara; Release Madzorera now”.
Some of the placards were denouncing the Gweru Residents and Ratepayers’ Association chairman, Mr Cornelius Selipiwe and were inscribed,” Selipiwe Sell Out”.
Mr Mhene said police who were escorting the demonstrators then rounded up the demonstrators and arrested the five accused persons.