Howard Mission Hospital violence lands 20 in court

provincial magistrate Mr Erick Kadye.
He remanded the 20 out of custody to September 4 on US$100 bail each.
The 20 were barred from visiting Howard Mission and interfering with State witnesses pending finalisation of the criminal case. They were ordered to report to CID Homicide section in Bindura every Friday as part of the bail conditions. Mashonaland Central area public prosecutor Mr Emmanuel Muchenga appeared for the State in the initial remand proceedings while Bindura lawyers Mr Remias Gumbo and Mr Zvidzai Kajokoto of Kajokoto and Company represented the group.
Allegations arose on August 15 this year when the 20 and others still at large gathered at Howard Mission Hospital in protest over the transfer of the medical superintendent Dr Paul James Thistle. They allegedly broke into song, beat drums and danced before barricading the main road to detain four church officials who had been sent to handle the dispute from the Salvation Army Church National headquarters.
Mr Dubai Ncube, Mr Funny Nyereyemhuka, Mr George Madombwe and Mr Richard Makarau were blocked inside the hospital premises. The gang deflated the tyres of the four’s Nissan Hardbody vehicle and threw some stones at the administration block. Windowpanes at the block were smashed and the vehicle was overturned, sustaining damages.
Police had to intervene before more damage was done. The group was arrested before being taken to Bindura magistrates’ court. The damage caused to the vehicle and the building was estimated at US$5 500.