State drops case against boo-boys

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
ZANU-PF youth leader Magura Magura Charumbira and four others accused of booing the former First Lady Mrs Grace Mugabe during the Bulawayo Presidential Interface Rally at White City Stadium last month were yesterday freed following the withdrawal of their charges by the State.

Charumbira (43) of Pumula South suburb, Mabutho Lucky Moyo (32) of Lobengula suburb, Mayibongwe Evans Zvigadza (28) of Barbourfields, Walter Sibanda (24) of Tshabalala and Dephine Dzvange (33) of Nketa 7 suburb were facing charges of incitement to commit public violence and undermining the authority of the President when they appeared before Bulawayo Provincial magistrate, Ms Sharon Rosemani.

Charumbira was on $100 bail while Moyo, Zvigadza, Sibanda and Dzvange were each granted $50 bail. The charges were withdrawn before plea after the State noted that there was no basis upon which the quintet was charged.

“The charges against the accused persons have been withdrawn before plea. You can liaise with your lawyer to go and collect your money for bail,” ruled Ms Rosemani.

Charumbira was being accused of leading a group of Zanu-PF supporters that heckled Mrs Mugabe while she was addressing party supporters.

As part of the bail conditions, Charumbira was ordered to report thrice a week at the Bulawayo CID Law and Order offices and reside at his given residential address until the matter is finalised.

Charumbira was also ordered to surrender his travel documents and confine himself within a 60km radius.

For the State, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo alleged that on November 4 this year, Charumbira was part of a crowd that gathered at White City Stadium in Bulawayo for the Presidential Youth Interface rally.

He said when Mrs Mugabe stood up to address people, Charumbira, an alleged ring leader of a group of supporters, also stood up and started protesting and heckling the former First Lady.

“Charumbira started making gestures by throwing hands in the air and booing Mrs Mugabe. His colleagues joined him as they sang songs denouncing the former First Lady after she said Professor Jonathan Moyo was being persecuted for nothing,” said Mr Dlodlo.

Charumbira and his group were whisked away by other Zanu-PF youths after Mrs Mugabe complained that rogue elements were disrupting her speech.

The five Zanu-PF youths were represented by lawyers, Mr Tanaka Muganyi of Tanaka Law Chambers.

In May this year, Charumbira was allegedly stabbed on the head and face during intra-party clashes at the Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial headquarters, Davies Hall as the two rival groups fought over control of the party offices.

@mashnets