A HARARE magistrate yesterday heard that members of the Johanne weChishanu Apostolic Church wrote a letter of apology to Police Commissioner–General Augustine Chihuri after they violently clashed with police officers at their sect’s shrine in Budiriro two weeks ago.
SENIOR REPORTER
Several police officers, officials from the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) and journalists were left injured.
The police officers had escorted ACCZ leader Johannes Ndanga to announce that the sect had been banned over human rights violations. Violence broke out after Ndanga ordered the arrest of one of the sect members who allegedly continuously interjected his speech.
Magistrate Donald Ndirowei heard that the letter, however, led to the arrest of one of the sect members, David Shamuyarira, after he was linked to the violent clashes.
Shamuyarira, who was represented by lawyer Tawanda Takaindisa, was not asked to pleaded when he appeared in court yesterday. He was remanded to today for bail application.
Meanwhile, the High Court yesterday postponed the bail appeal hearing for the other 24 sect members to June 12 after the State indicated that it had received the application late.
