Seven suspected cattle rustlers, who are facing 23 counts of stock theft, yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court, where their application for bail was dismissed.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
The seven, who include two ex-convicts recently released under the Presidential amnesty, were remanded to December 28 by magistrate, Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.
The suspected are Felistas Mulambo, Darlingtom Mabika, Robson Kandemire, Getrude Madotsa, Nyasha Makulumo, Estery and Amos Mupunyuki.
Estery and Amos Mupunyuki were recently released from prison after serving several years behind bars on similar offences.
Prosecutor, Sebastian Mutizirwa opposed granting of bail, arguing the suspects were facing serious offences for which, if convicted, they were likely to spend a long time in jail.
In her determination, Mugwagwa stated the Mupanduki brothers were likely to abscond since they were once convicted of a similar offence, while Mulambo was likely to skip borders to Mozambique, as he had stayed in that country for long.
The suspects were represented by Gwinyai Shumba.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Allegations against the suspects are that on various occasions between August 11 and October 14 this year, they stole cattle around the Domboshava area.
Meanwhile, a Kariba-based preacher and rights activist, Philip Mugadza, who is facing allegations of wearing the national flag without permission from authorities, yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on routine remand and was remanded to January 16 next year for trial.
Mugadza appeared before magistrate, Gamuchirai Siwardi and was represented by Obey Shava from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who consented to the trial date, but immediately gave notice to the State of his intention to seek refusal of remand.
Allegations against Mugadza are that he contravened section 6 of the Flag of Zimbabwe Act by unlawfully and intentionally wearing or displaying the national flag without securing permission from the authorities as required by the law.
The State alleges that Mugadza insulted, showed disrespect for the flag and brought the flag into disrepute.
