Three MDC-T officials were arrested on Wednesday at Maungwa Business Centre in Gutu, Masvingo on charges of violating the draconian Public Order and Security Act (POSA).
The three, Gutu South chairperson James Makovere, organising secretary for the constituency, Alderman Jeffrey Tangemhare and Islam Matose were arrested while conducting a meeting with MDC-T members from Gutu South. They are detained at Gutu Police Station and are being charged with holding a public meeting without a police clearance.
Meanwhile, nine MDC-T members including the party’s Youth Assembly Chairman remain behind bars over the death of a policeman in Glen View last May. They are among a group of 29 party members who have been charged in connection with the death of policeman Petros Mutedza, which is believed to have been the result of a bar fight. The MDC-T insists the charges against its members are “false” and “spurious” and a deliberate attempt to bring the party into disrepute.
The nine people now in custody are Paul Rukanda (MDC-T Organising Secretary for Glen View South), Solomon Madzore (MDC-T Youth Assembly Chairman), Tungamirai Madzokere (Glen View Ward 32 Councillor), Rebecca Mafikeni, Phenias Nhatarikwa, Lazarus Maengahama, Stanford Maengahama, Yvonne Musarurwa and Stanford Mangwiro.
Meanwhile nine of the ten MDC-T activists who were arrested at Harvest House three weeks ago have been released after being granted a US$50 bail each at the High Court. The 10 are facing charges of public violence and were originally denied bail at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts after the State claimed that they were facing serious charges and were a ‘flight risk’. Those granted bail are; Barnabas Mwanaka, Taurai Nherera, Simbarashe Makaha, Leonard Dendera, Muchineripi Muzengeza, Patson Murimoga, Samson Nerwande , Murambiwa Dzwenge and Kudakwashe Usai.
Mwanaka is still admitted at a Harare hospital after he sustained serious injuries following an attack by the police during his arrest.
The tenth activist who was arrested, Jefias Moyo, was however denied bail because his is one of the 29 who has been charged in connection with the Glen View death. – SW Radio Africa News
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