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Senior Court Reporter
A GROUP of people who allegedly staged an illegal demonstration in Harare under the banner of war liberation fighters will be back in court today when Harare magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko will rule on their challenge to being placed on remand because they say they were unlawfully arrested.
The group initially appeared in court yesterday charged with gathering with intent to promote public violence.
Those charged are: Shorai Nyamangodo (58), Misheck Mugwame (63), Desmond Mapfumo (61), Reuben Zulu (56) Taural Mutete, (66) Edward Chikwenhere (62) Caleb Mabota,(63), Jon Shamhu (65), Teddy Chitsumba (59),Dexter Jena (60), Stephen Mangandu (69), Alexander Mushawata (64), Joseph Chinguva (63), Patrick Jena (60), Ronnie Tendai Gudza (65), Beaven Makombe (61), Romeo Kunatsa (63), Edward Mandikutse (65), Eliphas Kawa (60), Willard Zviripi (60), Chitsaka Godfrey (60), Isaac Tsuro (60) Hazviney Machingura (65), Godfrey Chimhaka (60), Isaac Madzivanyika (63), Amos Sigauke (62) and Makesure Tanya Chinogurei.
Through their lawyer from Zimbabwe Human Rights Lawyers, the group challenged its placement on remand saying they were unlawfully arrested because they were over-detained in police custody and so should be immediately released.
The State led by Mr Moses Mapabga and Mr Silent Shoko opposed the application saying the group was arrested at the crime scene.
“I was informed by Superintended Majongosi that they were informed of their arrest at crime scene. It is crystal clear that this court was entertaining other matters before 10am and has no magic to entertain 16 matters at once. Now it is their turn,” said Mr Mapanga.
Mr Mapanga said the group had civil courses of action to take if they feel they were unlawfully detained.
He said there are videos circulating on social media that proved that they were arrested at crime scene.
The State had it that on October 13 this year, the group notified the police of their intention to hold a peaceful march in central Harare. Their request was turned down on October 18, because the country is still under national lockdown level 2 where all demonstrations are suspended.
The request was turned down since police feared that some rogue elements would take advantage and hijack the situation.
But on Tuesday at around 10am, the Police Reaction Group patrolling central Harare was told that a group of people was gathered at Africa Unity Square. The police went there and the group identified themselves as war veterans and said they wanted to hand over a petition to Parliament and Munhumutapa Offices.
It is said that the police advised them to send at least five people with the petition, but they allegedly refused, saying they wanted to go as a group.
The police ordered them to disperse but those subsequently arrested allegedly refused and started singing revolutionary songs, disturbing peace, movement of pedestrians and motor vehicles resulting in their arrest.
Online Reporter