DAVID Shamuyarira, a member of the Johanne Masowe weChishanu Apostolic sect who allegedly wrote to Police Commissioner–General Augustine Chihuri apologising for the battering that police officers received at the hands of sect members at their Budiriro shrine in Harare two weeks ago, was yesterday denied bail.
SENIOR REPORTER
Presiding magistrate Donald Ndirowei ruled that Shamuyarira was not a proper candidate for bail since 24 other sect members were currently in remand custody over the same matter while the sect leader and other suspects were still at large.
The bail appeal for the 24 other sect members will be heard in the High Court today.
“He is not a proper candidate for bail. Some (of his colleagues) were denied bail and he should be treated in the same manner with the other accused persons,” Ndirowei ruled.
Shamuyarira was arrested after he allegedly wrote to Chihuri apologising for the physical attack meted against police officers, journalists and Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) officials by followers of Madzibaba Ishamel Mufani on May 30 this year.
The police officers and journalists were part of a delegation escorting ACCZ officials on a mission to announce the banning of the sect over alleged human rights violations.
The sect members turned violent when ACCZ president Johannes Ndanga ordered the arrest of one of Mufani’s followers who kept jeering at him.
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Nine police officers, two journalists and a top ACCZ official sustained injuries after they were battered by the sect members using shepherds’ staffs.
A ZBC vehicle and camera were also allegedly damaged in the melee.
