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Zesa protestors’ trial stalls

News
THE trial of 23 Bulawayo activists who were arrested last month for demonstrating against Zesa was yesterday postponed to June 10.

THE trial of 23 Bulawayo activists who were arrested last month for demonstrating against Zesa for allegedly employing workers from outside the region at its Insukamini sub-station was yesterday postponed to June 10.

Staff reporter

The trial, which had been initially scheduled for April 23, was postponed for the second time after it was first postponed to May 14.

Dumisani Dube, representing the 23, said the protestors were supposed to appear in court yesterday, but the trial was postponed to next month.

“They were supposed to appear in court today (Tuesday), but they were further remanded to June 10 because the State is not yet ready to proceed with the trial and there are some papers that still need to be looked into by the State,” he said.

The protestors were arrested by the police on April 8 along Plumtree Road as they demonstrated against Zesa’s recruitment policy, which they felt sidelined the people of Matabeleland.

They were granted $10 bail each on April 10 by Bulawayo magistrate Crispen Mberewere after they were charged with being a criminal nuisance.

On Monday, the 23 protesters together with Bulawayo residents from different denominations, conducted prayers at Bulawayo’s YCWA hostel in preparation for the trial the following day.

“We need to ask God to intercede and give the protestors the courage to continue fighting and winning,” Mandla Dube, a preacher at Ebenezer Fellowship Church said.

Dube said God was the one who had the power to control all the trials and tribulations they faced such as being arrested for fighting for their rights in advocating for jobs as the locals of Matabeleland.

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