A junior police officer in Plumtree has been arrested for
allegedly using social media to incite members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police
(ZRP) and Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) to defy orders from their superiors to
enforce lockdown regulations.
Levias Ngwenya (36), a police constable stationed at
Plumtree Police Station allegedly wrote on his Facebook timeline, urging his
colleagues in the security service sector to disregard Government directive by
allowing people to engage in anti-Government protests.
He accused the Government of “bribing” police and soldiers
by offering them a pay rise and US$75 Covid-19 risk allowances so that they
descend on protestors.
Ngwenya appeared before Plumtree magistrate Tayengwa
Chibanda facing charges of causing disaffection among members of the police
force or defence forces as defined in section 30 of the Criminal Law
(Codification and Reform) Act.
He was released on $500 bail and remanded to July 28 for
trial.
Ngwenya was ordered not to access his social media accounts
and to continue residing at his given address until the matter is finalised. He
was also ordered not to interfere with State witnesses as part of the bail
conditions
Prosecuting, Ms Dorothy Kanengoni said on July 8 at about
2.58AM, Ngwenya posted on his Facebook page, alleging that soldiers and police
were being used by the Zanu-PF-led Government to turn against the generality of
impoverished Zimbabweans.
The post read: “Soldiers and police don’t be fooled and
brainwashed with the money, which has little buying power. You should not allow
Zanu-PF and Government to use you to attack your fellow brothers and sisters.”
“The reason why police officers and soldiers were given the
money is to oil them so that they are able to descend heavily on impoverished
civilians who are scheduled to demonstrate on July 31 as it is a divide and
rule tactic,” wrote Ngwenya.
Ms Kanengoni said the message was aimed at inciting
security forces to revolt against the Government.
“The accused person had no lawful right to induce other
members of the ZRP and Zimbabwe Defence Forces to disregard Government
directive,” she said.
The court heard that on August 9, Ngwenya using his
Facebook account posted: “Zimbabwe police officers and ZNA must wake up and
smell the coffee. It is time to embrace change not to fight our fellow
citizens. Zanu-PF Government is using you for nothing.”
“What can you achieve with a paltry ZW$10 000 and useless
Covid-19 risk allowance of US$75, which is not even accessible in banks. Wake
up guys.”
Mr Bruce Masamvu who is being instructed by the Zimbabwe
Lawyers for Human Rights is representing Ngwenya. Chronicle
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