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Tendai Rupapa Senior Reporter

ELEVEN suspected MDC-Alliance marshals who allegedly assaulted a police officer at a food court in Harare while declaring the spot a no-go area for police officers, will spend another night in remand prison pending their bail ruling today.

According to the State, the gang – Hilton Tamangani (29), Evans Chinyanga (39), Tichaona Maziya (22), Petros Kaesa (44), Tafadzwa Madziwa (23), Lovemore Chitengo(42), Robson Mutseta (31), Hillary Nyawasha (29), Denford Mlambo (41), Blessing Chirodza (41) and David Tawanda Tekere (35) — pounced on the cop, Tatenda Sibiya, who was standing at the intersection of Julius Nyerere Way and Kwame Nkruma Avenue.

They allegedly took turns to punch and clap him ordering him to leave ‘‘their’’ area.

Tamangani, the State alleged, stole a mobile phone, US$200 and Rtgs$35 from the police officer during the scuffle.

After committing the offence, the court heard, the suspects allegedly fled into the basement of Robinson House where they were later arrested.

At least 210 anti-riot and 14 municipal police helmets were recovered in one of the rooms in the basement where the suspects were hiding.

The gang appeared in court on Monday before magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye charged with assaulting or resisting a peace officer.

They were remanded in custody to yesterday for bail application and through their lawyer Mr Kudzayi Kadzere of Kadzere, Hungwe and Mandevere legal practitioners, they argued that they had the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Mr Kadzere said the suspects were apprehended during a dragnet arrest, adding Mlambo was employed by the Law Society of Zimbabwe.

In opposing bail, prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwacalled the investigating officer Detective Janza Limodzi from the Law and Order section to the witness   stand.

He opposed bail saying the suspects were not proper candidates for  bail.

Detective Limodzi said they were likely to flee the court’s jurisdiction if granted bail due to the seriousness of their offence.

He said the police were yet to verify the addresses submitted by the suspects.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Mrs Mapiye stood down the matter for ruling in the afternoon.

She later indicated that she needed more time to compile the ruling and rolled the matter over to today.