Shorai Nyamangondo (58) and 38 others appeared before
Harare magistrate Barbara Mateko, who remanded them to November 15, after their
application for remand refusal was dismissed.
The war veterans were represented by Paidamoyo Saurombe
from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. The State had opposed bail saying
the accused might commit another offence and interfere with investigations.
The State alleges that on October 13, the Zimbabwe
Liberation War Veterans Association notified the police of their intention to
hold a peaceful march in central Harare.
The State said this was turned down on October 18 with the
police saying the country was still under COVID-19 level two lockdown, which
meant that all demonstrations were suspended.
On October 26 at around 1000hrs, police on patrol in the
CBD received information that there was a group of people gathered at Africa
Unity Square at the corner of Third Street and Jason Moyo Avenue in Harare.
The police then reacted to the information and proceeded to
the scene where they engaged the accused persons who indicated that they were
war veterans and wanted to hand over a petition to Parliament and President
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Munhumutapa offices.
Police ordered them to disperse, but the accused refused
and started singing revolutionary songs, thereby disturbing the peace, movement
of the pedestrians and motor vehicles. They were demonstrating over measly
stipends of $16 000 per month which they are getting from government. Newsday
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