Gwisai to stay in jail until Monday

Court Reporter
Former MDC MP for Highfield, Munyaradzi Gwisai, and 45 others accused of plotting to oust a constitutionally-elected Government will remain in custody until Monday when the State is expected to respond to their application for refusal of remand.
The 46 yesterday mounted the application before Harare magistrate Mr Munamato Mutevedzi.
They challenged their placement on remand saying there was no reasonable suspicion that they committed treason.
Gwisai, the general co-ordinator of the International Socialist Organisation, was arrested along with the 45 during a political gathering police say they were not notified of in Harare over the weekend.
They are facing treason charges or alternatively subverting a constitutional Government.
Defence lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama said nothing had been proffered by the State showing the group had committed treason.
“The offence that is being faced by the accused person is serious.
“The State should establish watertight facts that establish that they wanted to overthrow the Government.
“The meeting was about supporting workers’ struggles in Tunisia and Egypt,” he said.
“What they (the prosecutors) are saying is that it is an offence to watch what happened in Tunisia and Egypt and it means everyone should be charged with treason.”
Mr Muchadehama challenged the State to establish a case against each of the accused persons by telling the court the role they played in the commission of the alleged crime.
In his evidence-in-chief, Gwisai said the meeting was to discuss democracy and constitutions vis-à-vis events in North Africa, in particular Egypt and Tunisia, and the lessons learnt by workers in Zimbabwe and Africa.
Gwisai said the meeting was strictly by invite and among those present were Aids activists.
Mr Muchadehama had earlier complained that his clients were assaulted in police custody, denied medication and over-detained.
He submitted that some of the people were vendors, passersby and some who had businesses near where the meeting was conducted.
Prosecutor Mr Nyazamba said he needed time to respond to the application and complaints against police.
He said he also needed time to cross-examine Gwisai and would want to use video evidence.
This prompted Mr Mutevedzi to defer the matter to Monday next week. He also ordered prison officials to ensure any of the accused who is sick were attended to.