The ManicaPost
Wimbainashe Zhakata Post Reporter—
FIVE MDC-T supporters recently went berserk,hurled stones and farm bricks at fellow party supporters during a rally in Mutasa District which was eventually aborted due to the ensuing intra-party violence.
The suspects were arrested and brought before the courts on charges of contravening Section 44 (A) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 which is criminalises the disruption of a public gathering.
James Masamvu (52), Joshua Maneto (30), John Dhaka (32), Moses Marekera (39) and Doubt Mukadiweyi (22) appeared before Mr Innocent Bepura at Mutasa Magistrates Courts.
They denied the charges. Three of them were remanded in custody while the remaining two were freed on bail.
Public prosecutor, Mr Shepherd Chawarika, told the court that on June 3 at around 12pm, the suspects went to Zindi Primary School in Honde Valley with the intention of disrupting an MDC-T rally that had been organised by a rival faction.
They engaged in riotous conduct that resulted in the abandonment of the public meeting.
“They pushed people who were gathered at the MDC-T public meeting and threw stones at them, thereby disrupting the event,” said Mr Chawarika.
The meeting had been called by MDC-T Manicaland provincial chairman Mr David Antony Chimhini.
The court heard that on the day in question, Chimhini proceeded to Zindi Primary School to address party supporters who had gathered.
On his way he met Masamvu who was driving a Toyota Ace truck ( ABM 8509) to the venue loaded with allegedly drunk MDC-T youths.
“At around 12.48pm Masamvu arrived at the venue with the youths and unleashed violence. The intoxicated youths shouted at the district leadership. Attempts to cool down tampers fell on deaf ears as the suspects pushing those in attendance. The situation further deteriorated after the suspects armed themselves with stones and farm bricks which they hurled at the gathering,” said Mr Chawarika.
Sensing the impending danger, the crowd dispersed.
