Twenty-six suspects who were arrested on Friday for
participating in an illegal demonstration organised by the MDC Alliance were
yesterday remanded in custody to tomorrow for bail application.
The gang of 25 men and one woman were arrested for various
offences arising from the illegal demonstration which the police had earlier
prohibited. Initially 91 people were arrested, however, some were
released after paying fines.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson, Assistant
Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not ascertain the number of people who had been
released.
“I am no longer in the office at the moment. I cannot
ascertain the number of people who have been fined and those who have appeared
in court,” he told The Sunday Mail last night.
“I will, however, be able to give you the figures tomorrow
morning.”
Through their lawyer Jeremiah Bhamu, the gang yesterday
appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea.
Prosecutor Mr George Manokore requested that the accused be
remanded in custody until tomorrow pending further investigations into the
case.
“The state requests that the accused be remanded to 19
August pending further investigations on the matter,” he said.
The accused persons’ lawyer did not contest the date and
said he would seek to challenge further remand of the accused or alternatively
seek bail.
After hearing submissions from both parties, the magistrate
rolled the matter to tomorrow.
The accused were arrested in Harare after the MDC-A
organised demonstration was barred by police on Thursday in fear of the protest
turning violent.
MDC-A the made an urgent High Court application seeking to
challenge the police decision, but the bid hit a brick wall after Justice Joseph
Musakwa dismissed it and upheld the prohibition.
MDC- Alliance activists, however, went on to gather at
Africa Unity Square in defiance of the court ruling.
The police also say some of the youths went on to engage in
confrontational acts which included threats, intimidation and disruption of the
smooth flow of traffic in the Central Business District.
The police moved in and dispersed the unlawful gathering,
arresting some of the suspects in the process. Others were arrested for various
offences linked to the demonstration in Chitungwiza and Harare South.
In a statement the Ministry of Information, Publicity and
Broadcasting Services said no one died during the demonstrations, while two
people were injured. Sunday Mail
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