The MDC supporters are charged with malicious damage to property under Section 140 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
Charles Ngwena, a security guard with Marondera Municipality, as well as the unemployed duo of Shown Chinai and Brian Phiri, were arrested on October 19, while Caleb Marange and Omega Mutsaru were arrested on October 26 and 27 respectively.
The five, who are represented by Fred Machokoto of Mambosasa Legal Practitioners, are currently on bail. They will stand trial on November 10.
According to the State, Matereke was drinking beer with friends at Dombotombo Business Centre in Marondera while proudly displaying a banner on the bar wall bearing President Mugabe’s face and inscribed: “Our land is our sovereignty” when the MDC supporters allegedly pounced.
The MDC supporters allegedly arrived at the business centre in a convoy of five cars, pulled down the banner and set it on fire.
Prosecutors say the MDC supporters had “no right to act in the manner they did”.
Scores of people have in the past got into trouble for allegedly tempering with Mugabe’s posters or making fun of the President. – Legal Monitor
Post published in: News