BY GARIKAI MAFIRAKUREVA
THE Zanu PF Masvingo province youth deputy chairperson, who picketed Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) offices together with party activists on Tuesday last week, was on Friday brought before magistrate Caroline Tafira facing charges of disorderly conduct.
Tichaona Delight Mandebvu and Simon Muchafa, who were identified as ring leaders, were represented by Collin Maboke of Ruvengo and Maboke Law firm when they appeared in court for initial remand. They were remanded to November 20 on free bail. However, Isaac Mashanda, who is the Zanu PF co-ordinator, was fined $300.
According to the charge, Mandebvu, Mashanda and Muchafa teamed up with other Zanu PF youths to disrupt council business. It is alleged they acted in a disorderly manner when they locked out council workers, disrupting normal business.
Last week on Tuesday, business at Bikita RDC came to a grinding halt when Zanu PF youths locked council premises denying everyone entry. The suspected ring leaders were later arrested.
The youths were accusing council employees of engaging in shady land deals and were demanding the re-opening of Mbuya Nehanda Primary School after parents withdrew their children from lessons. The parents picketed at the institution as they tried to stop council from pegging shop stands around the premises and the construction of a beerhall in the school yard.
Bikita RDC is being accused of slashing the school land from 12,5 hectares to 7,5 hectares and parcelling out the five hectares to friends and relatives for the construction of shops and a beerhall. The youths were also accusing council of parcelling out land at the District Heroes Acre and that belonging to the Zanu PF women’s league.
