
The demonstrations, falsely billed as peaceful, degenerated
into a spree of looting, arson and criminality during which a Choppies
supermarket lost $400 000 worth of goods in Chitungwiza, amid nationwide
carnage.
Takemore Bhunu (27) of Glen View 3 and Godsave Mukore (25)
of Chitungwiza appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mrs Blessing Murwisi
yesterday and were remanded in custody.
They pleaded not guilty. The pair claimed the Zimbabwe
Republic Police (ZRP) “planted evidence” against them as they were at home when
the alleged offence was committed.
Their trial continues today with two witnesses expected to
testify. Ms Tendai Shonhayi prosecuted.
The prosecution is alleging that on January 14 at around
1100hours, Gabriel Kawara (42), who is employed by Choppies Chitungwiza Town
Centre branch, closed the supermarket following threats of violence.
At around 9am, Bhunu, Mukore and accomplices still at
large, armed themselves with stones, logs and iron bars and barricaded
Mharapara Road at C-Junction with burning tyres.
They destroyed the traffic lights at C-Junction.
They took the traffic lights with them. The two proceeded
to Choppies Supermarket where they forcibly opened the doors and stole goods
before fleeing the scene.
Police investigations revealed that Bhunu and Mukore sold
some of the goods to passers-by. They hid some along a stream behind Tafa
Shopping Centre in Unit D. Kawara later received information about the looting
and made a report to the police.
Bhunu was later arrested and implicated Mukore. Herald
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