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Romeo Musemburi

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter
The High Court will today hear the bail application in a case in which a University of Zimbabwe student, Romeo Musemburi, is being charged with attempting to commit acts of insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism by posting illegal statements on the Baba Jukwa Facebook account.
Musemburi (20), a third-year student studying for a degree in economics, allegedly sent the e-mail via his Gmail account which read: “We want pfuti (guns), give us and we will hit the streets and fight for democracy.”

Harare lawyer Mr Tonderai Bhatasara of Mupangi, Bhatasara Attorneys, yesterday told The Herald that his client’s case had been set down for hearing today.
“The High Court will hear our bail application today and it has been set down for 9am,” said Mr Bhatasara.

Mr Bhatasara said his client was a proper candidate for bail and that he should be released.
“There is a principle that says justice should be administered uniformly.

“Two suspects believed to be administrators of the Baba Jukwa account were granted bail last week and my client is a mere student who has no connections abroad.
“He has no passport and has no relatives abroad.

“He cannot sustain himself outside the country, hence he is not a flight risk,” said Mr Bhatasara.
Mr Bhatasara said Musemburi’s laptop and mobile phone were confiscated by the police and that he had no means to interfere with the investigations or State witnesses.

On his initial appearance before Harare maguistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe, Musemburi was not asked to plead to the charges and he was remanded in custody to July 16 for routine remand.

He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court due to the seriousness of the offence.
It is alleged that on August 3 last year Musemburi, who lives in Waterfalls, wrote an e-mail to the Baba Jukwa account requesting for weapons of war.

He sent the e-mail through his Gmail account [email protected].
According to the State, the e-mail had the effect of attempting to commit acts of insurgency, banditry, sabotage and terrorism with a view to overthrowing a constitutionally elected Government.

Meanwhile, police have added two more people, freelance journalists Zakes Moyo and Mkhululi Chimoio, on their wanted list in connection with the shadowy Facebook character Baba Jukwa, who posted subversive articles aimed at inciting people to engage in acts of insurgency and banditry.

Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said in a statement yesterday that the two were believed to be based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Their names bring to 14 the people now suspected of having been behind the Baba Jukwa character.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is keen to interview Zakes Moyo and Mkhululi Chimoio in connection with the administration of the Baba Jukwa Facebook page and posting of subversive material,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

“Moyo is believed to be residing at number 98 Berea, Johannesburg, South Africa, while Chimoio’s address is given as No. 71 Alexander, Berea, Johannesburg, South Africa. These two are suspects in the administration of Baba Jukwa.”

Moyo and Chimoio are freelance journalists with The Zimbabwean, whose owners Wilf Mbanga and his wife Trish are also being sought by the police in connection with the case.

The police also listed Sunday Mail editor Edmund Kudzayi and his brother Phillip, Mxolisi Ncube, Walter Shoko, Samson Chifamba, George Chirakasha, Anomie Drew, Piniel Nhokodi and Sarudzai Florence as the other suspects.

In the run-up to the 2013 harmonised elections, Baba Jukwa posted personal information and phone numbers of high-profile people calling the public to abuse them and also indicated that there was the Gunda-Nleya Brigade and the Zimbabwe Revolutionary Army ready for insurgency.