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Cop clueless why most suspected protesters were arrested

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POLICE detective Joice Murahwa involved in the on-going bail application of the 105 suspected violent protesters from Mabvuku and Epworth, yesterday stunned the court when she revealed she had no information as to why the majority of suspects were in custody.

POLICE detective Joice Murahwa involved in the on-going bail application of the 105 suspected violent protesters from Mabvuku and Epworth, yesterday stunned the court when she revealed she had no information as to why the majority of suspects were in custody.

BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE/REGIS CHINGAWO

Riots Epworth - 21

Murahwa made the remarks while being cross-examined by a team of human rights lawyers led by Trust Maanda.

She told Harare provincial magistrate Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe that she was not in a position to tell the court how and where the suspects were arrested as she was not present at the time of their arrest.

This was after Maanda had claimed that his clients were not arrested at the scene, but fished out during a police door-to-door search.

Maanda said police were sensationalising the matter after claiming property worth about $500 000 was destroyed during the demonstrations.

Murahwa was further asked to itemise the property allegedly destroyed by the suspects of the alleged half a million dollars value, to which she replied she has no idea save for the windscreen of a ZRP Defender vehicle.

Maanda then urged the court to release his clients unconditionally as the State’s key witness had no sufficient information warranting their detention in police custody.

Chikwekwe postponed the bail ruling to today.

Moleen Mtangadura appeared for the State.

In a related matter, six activists arrested in Masvingo for allegedly taking pictures and inciting public violence during Wednesday’s mass stayaway, failed to appear in court for initial remand yesterday as police said they were still compiling the docket.

The six are David Kwangwari, John Gondo, Godwin Masiya, Frank Makweza, Amos Mandinetsa and Last Mugabazi.

The activists, represented by Collins Maboke, are set to appear in court today.