Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Court writer
BULAWAYO businesswoman, Mrs Sipho Mazibuko, together with seven co-accused, appeared in court on Tuesday for allegedly participating in an unsanctioned gathering outside the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court, where they reportedly waved placards a few months ago.
Mazibuko and her co-accused — Lydies Mutanha, Lovemore Nyanyira, Blessing Mpofu, Thandolwenkosi Nkomo, Musawenkosi Nkala, Daphney Maluleke, and Angeline Taruvanda — appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Patience Madondo facing a charge of participating in a gathering with the intention to promote public violence, breaches of peace, or bigotry, as defined under Section 37 (1)(a)(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
All eight pleaded not guilty to the charge. They were represented by lawyer Gamelihle Ncube of Calderwood, Bryce Hendrie and Partners.
Ncube argued that on July 23 this year, Mazibuko and her co-accused went to the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Courts, housed at the Tredgold Building, to peacefully express solidarity with a teenage girl who was an alleged rape victim, whose trial was underway at one of the courts.
He maintained that the group’s conduct was peaceful, and that they did not intimidate members of the public.
The lawyer further stated that the accused did not obstruct anyone conducting their business, nor did they disrupt court proceedings. He argued that their actions were protected under Sections 58 and 59 of the Constitution.
The matter was postponed to November 10 for judgement.
Prosecutor Denmark Chihombe told the court that on July 23, Mazibuko led her co-accused to the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Courts carrying placards inscribed with “#Justice for Noe.”
“Upon arrival at the court entrance, they waved their placards, alleging that the matter was taking too long to be finalised. They also accused the child’s grandmother of aiding her son to rape her under-age niece,” said Chihombe.
