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Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
MDC Alliance national youth chairperson Happymore Chidziva has been arrested for inciting public violence after he allegedly threatened President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) with unspecified action at a campaign rally held in Mkoba Gweru ahead of the July 30 harmonised elections.
Chidziva (37) appeared before Gweru Provincial Magistrate, Ms Charity Maphosa, facing charges of incitement to commit public violence.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded out of custody to September 27 on $100 bail.
Part of Chidziva’s bail conditions are that he does not interfere with State witnesses, stays at his given residential address and reports to the police once every fortnight at Machipisa Police Station in Harare.
Chidziva’s lawyer Mr Brian Dube said they would on the next remand date challenge the charges and make an application for refusal of remand, citing political persecution.
It is the State’s case that on July 22, the MDC Alliance held a rally at Mkoba stadium in Gweru which had been authorised by the police.
On the same date at around 12PM, Chidziva was given the chance to address party supporters.
The accused was using Shona and he unlawfully uttered some words saying: “Kana pakauya result isingafadzi isu vechidiki kana tati chatsva, chatsva. Mnangagwa hokoyo. Hokoyo Zec hokoyo (If the election result is not favourable to our party if we say we are taking action, we would do so. Be warned Mnangagwa. Be warned Zec),” he allegedly said.
There is a video, according to the State, showing Chidziva making the utterances.
President Mnangagwa won the elections with Zanu-PF winning a two thirds majority in Parliament.
“The accused had no right to utter such words that have an effect of influencing public disorder,” said Mr Andrew Marimo who appeared for the State.
After going into hiding days after the August 1 violent demonstration in Harare, Chidziva allegedly handed himself at Harare Central Police Station on Monday morning and was transferred to Gweru.
Online Reporter