THIRTEEN suspects were yesterday brought to court on allegations of torching two vehicles belonging to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation during the launch of the MDC-T’s #MyZimbabwe campaign on Wednesday.
BY MARY TARUVINGA
The State opposed the granting of bail to Tinotenda Mhungu (23), Admire Mashenu (35), Washington Mavere (32), Elfigio Honzeri (38), Khosa Hlalanilathi (26), Tendai Mandimika (42), Douglas Dhorobho (54), Munyaradzi Tafirenyika (43), Jairos Munyanyi (51), Ronald Tafirenyika (40), Vincent Ndoro (38), Mayor Vuranda (44) and Collen Makeche.
They were represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) members, Jeremiah Bamu, Sharon Hofisi and Tafadzwa Mundawarara.
Bamu complained that the police used a dragnet approach in arresting the accused as they were taken from their workplace at Roselyn House in the capital.
“The police forcibly took the other suspects from Roselyn House. They were arrested while attending to their daily routines. In fact, the accused thought the police had come to their rescue because there was lots of teargas outside their building,” he said.
“They were arrested together with scores of women who also work in the same building and the police did not explain why they were arrested.”
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Bamu said the lawyers were denied access to their clients until late on Thursday. As a result they were only given warned and cautioned statements for the 13 who appeared in court.
He said they had not been able to get instructions from the 13 as well as from those who still to be taken to court.
He said over 50 suspects were yet to appear in court.
Bamu also said Mandimika was a journalist.
According to the State, the accused held a public gathering along Nelson Mandela Avenue.
They then allegedly conspired to proceed into the central business district and cause havoc. They then allegedly burnt two vehicles belonging to ZBC and ZRP. Sebastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State.
