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Fungai Lupande : Court Reporter

political activist Promise Mkwananzi and 14 others facing public violence charges after leading recent violent demonstrations aligned to MDC-T were yesterday denied bail. The magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe ruled that Mkwananzi (35) and his co-accused Bruce Usvisvo (26) could interfere with State witnesses if freed on bail.Thirteen other protesters who appeared in court last Friday were also denied bail.

They were remanded to September 12.

It is alleged that Mkwananzi led groups of people who allegedly ran amok in the Harare central business district, destroying property before setting ablaze a police van and a Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) vehicle.

In their bail application, Mkwananzi and Usvisvo, who were represented by their lawyer Mr Mupanga Bhatasara, presented alibis.

“On the August 24, Mkwananzi was attending a Sapes Trust workshop and never set foot in town,” said Mr Bhatasara.

“The demonstrations were convened by MDC-T youths under the banner My Zimbabwe and the pair is not MDC-T members.

“Usvisvo entered Choppies Supermarket in the mid morning. While at the till, people started throwing stones and after paying for his items he quickly exited.

“He lost some of the things he bought only to be arrested two days later.”

Mr Bhatasara added that there is no group called Tajamuka, but it is a phrase used by ordinary citizens.

“The phrase indicates that they are fed up of poverty, corruption and mismanagement of the economy,” he said.

“Because there is no group, there cannot be a leader of the movement.”

Prosecuting, Mr Michael Reza said the accused have presented a defence of alibi.

“The pair denied being members of MDC-T and State has not said so, neither is that the reason why they were arrested,” she said.

“They were arrested for participating in public violence. These are people with unfinished business and will re-offend.

“They will influence and intimidate witnesses because they operate as a mob.

“If released on bail, they will undermine and jeopardise the objective and proper functioning of the justice system.

“The charge is serious and if convicted they will be sentenced to a custodial term.”

The court will hear bail applications of other 72 protesters.