A SUSPECTED protestor who initially told prosecutors during
vetting for initial appearance at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts that he was
given army uniform at the Zanu PF headquarters, yesterday changed his defence
and accused the police officers who arrested him of forcing him to wear a
friend’s military gear.
Shepard Magorimbo, who pleaded not guilty to the charges,
appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, who remanded him in custody to
February 25.
While applying for his bail, Magorimbo told the court that
he was arrested in the city centre and was taken to his place of residence by
police officers who forced him to wear Fungai Makoni’s army fatigue that was in
his room.
Magorimbo said the only link to the robbery charge he was
facing was the mobile number used to transfer money from the complainant.
Magorimbo’s lawyer Blessing Mupwanyiwa told the court that
the State must have brought the arresting officer to testify if it was opposing
bail.
But prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa opposed bail, saying
Magorimbo was arrested by members of the public while wearing army uniform. The
prosecutor further said there was overwhelming evidence against Magorimbo and
that he was a flight risk.
Mutizirwa said if Magorimbo was released, he would link up
with his accomplices, who are still at large.
Magorimbo is facing two counts of robbery. Meanwhile, Mugwagwa also denied bail to a 29-year-old
serving soldier accused of robbing foreign currency dealers in Chitungwiza last
week.
Norest Nyasoro of Manyame Airbase was charged together with
Tichaona Sosera (27) and Mafeking Tagara (24).
In denying them bail, Mugwagwa ruled that the suspects were
positively identified by the witnesses and that might influence them to flee
the jurisdiction of court.
Mugwagwa remanded the trio in custody to February 25.
In another matter, MDC Alliance councillor for Epworth,
Elias Sithole (45) was yesterday sentenced to five years imprisonment by Harare
magistrate Edwin Marecha for participating in public violence. One year was,
however, conditionally suspended.
In convicting him, Marecha said Sithole was positively
identified by the complainants while leading a group of supporters to attack
Epworth Police Station. Newsday
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