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A Harare magistrate remanded Mkoba legislator and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Organising Secretary, Amos Chibaya in custody together with 24 other party activists Monday.
Magistrate Yeukai Dzuda released a 17-year-old minor who was part of the activist into the custody of the guardians on free bail.
This follows their arrest last Saturday for allegedly conducting an unlawful political meeting in Harare’s Budiriro suburb.
They were formally charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry when they appeared before magistrate Dzuda.
Other activists include Wencelaus Nyamunokora (44), Taurai Mema (50), Rodulph Tsindi (45), Stabile Mlilo (40), Monica Mukwada (40), Misheck Nyembe (72), Nyemudzai Makwanya (42), Vimbai Dambaza (48), Chenesai Ndoro (58), Lilosa Nhanhanga (39), Ngoni Mafundikwa (33), Faith Ngorima (29), Cleopatra Tapfuma (29), Lancelot Tungwarara (45), Peace Mapfundikwa (45), Shyla Zvomwoyo (47), George Makwangaidze (42), Wyclife Maramba (63), Siros Rutsambo (81), Takemore Masikasika (47), Aleta Virimai (35), Stanley Mangare (55) and Dominic Chitahwe (39)
Prosecuting, Pardon Dziva alleged that last Saturday the activists responded to an invitation posted on social media reportedly authored by one Lancelot Tungwarara for the CCC’s Presidential Assembly meeting.
Chibaya and the 24 reacted by gathering at the house of Budiriro Constituency legislator, Costa Machingauta dressed in party regalia.
They were allegedly chanting CCC’s political slogan, “Ngaapinde hake mukomana, 2023 Chamisa chete chete”, implying that they were solidly behind Nelson Chamisa’s presidency in the upcoming elections.
Police got wind of the gathering and swiftly reacted to the residence where they discovered that the activists were “disturbing the peace of a section of members of the public”.
It was further alleged that the grouping resisted police orders to disperse leading to their arrest.
Their hearing will resume tomorrow at 11.15am where their lead legal representative Advocate Wilbert Mandinde is going to make a bail application.
He cited that charges preferred by the State were absurd.
“The charges they are facing are a little bit absurd for us. We will speed the release of the suspects by proceeding to deal with the issues of bail,” he said. Nhau/Indaba
