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Daniel Kachere Herald Correspondent
Harare East National Assembly member Cde Terence Mukupe (Zanu-PF) was detained overnight at Rhodesville police station on Tuesday evening for attempting to obstruct the course of justice after he attempted to rescue some youths arrested in his constituency.
The seven Zanu-PF youths appeared in court yesterday facing criminal trespass charges in contravention of Section 132 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act after they invading an open space in New Tafara leased to Shelter Zimbabwe by Harare City Council.
The seven are Jonasi Jonasi, Brian Mungwari, Richard Yuda, Emmanuel Kamuchira, Darlington Mutambara, Nevedi Takundikana and Linah Munhenzva.
Harare magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo remanded the group in custody to today for bail application.
Their lawyer, Mr Paul Machwaira registered his displeasure on how the matter was being handled by prosecutor Mr Michael Reza saying the seven had complaints about the police and that they were ill-treated and threatened with assault.
It is alleged that the group unlawfully erected their cabins and distributed the land among themselves.
They planted their bill boards at the site labelling their housing co-operatives.
The group allegedly threatened to use violence against police and the lessee, Shelter Zimbabwe.
They were arrested at the site while blocking Shelter Zimbabwe employees from accessing it.
Although chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba denied allegations that Cde Mukupe was detained, impeccable sources told The Herald that he spent the night in the cells.
The police sources close to the case said Cde Mukupe was detained after he interfered with investigations concerning the seven youths from different co-operatives in the constituency who were arrested for trespassing on the land.
It is alleged that the youths were arrested after blocking employees of Shelter Zimbabwe at the site.
After Cde Mukupe got wind of the arrest, he proceeded to Mabvuku police station where he was arrested for trying to defeat the course of justice.
He was then sent to Rhodesville police station where he was detained over night and was only released yesterday morning.
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