Of that figure, 51 are from Epworth while 52 are from Mabvuku. The accused persons who are all male were arrested on Monday, 4 July 2016 and are being held at Harare Central Police Station where they are being charged with contravening section 36 of the Criminal Law and Codification Act Chapter 9:23 following protests by commuter omnibus operators in Mabvuku and Epworth.
The transport operators were protesting against police corruption and the $200 fine regime gazetted through Statutory Instrument 41 of 2016. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has since deployed a team of lawyers, Trust Maanda, Jeremiah Bhamu and Gift Mtisi to offer emergency legal services to the accused persons some of whom were mauled by dogs during the arrest.
One of the accused persons is currently admitted in hospital where they are receiving treatment for the wounds.
This comes as 17 Beitbridge residents were on Sunday 3 July arraigned before the Court to answer to similar charges following a protest allegedly staged in the border town on the 1st of July 2016. They were arrested following protests against imposition of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 which they felt was an attack on their livelihoods. They will also appear in court tomorrow where Magistrate Takundwa will consider their bail application.
6.7.2016
6:28
Harare residents to appear before a magistrate
113 residence who were arrested and charged with public violence following the demonstrations in Harare’s poor high density suburbs of Epworth and Mabvuku will appear before a Magistrate at 8 am on the 6th of July 2016.
Comments
If we #StopPayingZimbabweTax then Mugabe and co cannot pay the police and the army, and they lose their power. Let’s stop paying PAYE and VAT. Pay customs duty and fines to the person, not the government. Let’s replace this terrible government with one that works for, not against the people.