admin
Herald Correspondent
The State is opposing bail in the matter of 19 police recruits who were arrested for public violence at the weekend.
State led by Mr Zebedia Bofu opposed bail on grounds that there was overwhelming evidence against the accused persons.
Mr Bofu further submitted that the seriousness of the offence might induce the accused persons to flee since they were likely to get a custodial sentence.
The defence argued that the seriousness of an offence is not only a reasonable ground on why the accused should be denied bail.
Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi remanded the 19 police recruits to August 24 for bail ruling.
Tadiwanashe Machopa (21),Nthandoyenkosi Nyathi (21),Tinotenda Chakanyuka (23), Brian Makiwa (24) ,Benjamin Panashe Musina (23), Tanaka Emmanuel Chivige (24), Anesu Marufu (23), Delight Dube (23), Tatenda Chidhakwa(23), Nqoba Mahlangu (22),Tinotenda Marimo (22), Milton Mashave (23),Tanaka Keith Kaseke, Blessing Gondongwe (24), Kudakwashe Makuvaze (22), Fortune Irvine Madzinganyama (24),Takunda Chibwana (24), Anymore Ndlovu (24) and Pajeal Balance (23) are facing public violence charges.
The State said the accused persons, who police recruits stationed at ZRP Mukushi Academy were armed with sticks and other unknown objects when they engaged in acts of public violence by assaulting members of the public.
The court heard that this act was a revenge to an assault which had been perpetrated upon Nyathi, Kaseke and Ndlovu, by an unknown person in the afternoon at Copacabana Bus terminus Harare.
The accused persons to appear in court on 24 August for bail ruling.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter