Gwisai’s case deferred

The case of former Highfield legislator Munyaradzi Gwisai and his 45 alleged accomplices accused of plotting an Egypt and Tunisia-style uprising to oust a constitutionally-elected Government in Zimbabwe has been deferred to today.
The 46, who are facing treason charges, yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Memory Chigwaza who deferred the matter to today for the State to respond to their application for refusal of remand.
Ms Chigwaza said the presiding magistrate Mr Muna-mato Mutevedzi was having a meeting with the Chief Justice and could not attend court.
Defence lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama told the court that his clients needed medical attention as they were not attended to.
However, Ms Chigwaza said she was not seized with the matter hence she could not hear any request.
Mr Dumisani Mthombeni had also submitted that Mr Muchadehama make his request to the presiding magistrate.
The group was arrested during a meeting in Harare, which police say they had not been notified of in terms of the law.
It is the State’s case that on February 19 this year, Gwisai (46), Antonator Choto (36) and Tatenda Mombeyarara called for a meeting at Number 43 Julius Nyerere Way. The participants, it is alleged, were drawn from all over the country with the bulk coming from Harare and Chitungwiza.
Entry was allegedly by invitation only and a host of speakers were lined up.
The meeting’s theme was “ISO calls on workers, students and working people to support the struggle in solidarity with Egyptian and Tunisian workers,” it is alleged.
Other speakers lined up did not turn up save for Gwisai, and they were replaced by Hopewell Gumbo, Welcome Zimuto and Choto alias T Sando. – CR.