A 41-year-old security officer employed at the MDC-T headquarters, Harvest House, has been arrested and charged with obstructing the course of justice following last week’s mayhem where police officers had running battles with vendors and the public.
The State alleges Tawanda Nyamadzawo Mandidzinga thwarted police efforts to arrest culprits who allegedly sparked commotion in the capital and sought refuge at the MDC offices.
It is alleged on the day in question, a group of vendors assaulted police officers and upon being pursued they ran and sought refuge at Harvest House where Mandidzinga is said to have opened the gate and allowed them in.
The informant in the case, only identified as Inspector Zhawarara, is said to have led a team of the police reaction group and proceeded to MDC offices and upon arrival they saw vendors running into the building.
Mandidzinga is alleged to have locked the gate and upon being ordered to open it by the police, he refused and went away.
It is alleged he later came back in the company of his superior, identified as Hokoto, and opened the gate, but when the police got inside the building the vendors had escaped through the back door. Mandidzinga was subsequently arrested over the disappearance of the vendors and charged with obstructing the course of justice.
Yesterday, Mandidzinga was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei. He was granted $20 bail and remanded to Tuesday for routine remand.
