MDC-Alliance activists freed on bail Jim Kunaka

Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
Two MDC-Alliance activists, Jim Kunaka and Paddington Japajapa, who were arrested for allegedly inciting party supporters to embark on an illegal demonstration in Harare soon after the July 30 harmonised elections, yesterday appeared in court.

Kunaka, who is facing public violence charges and is said to be one of the ring leaders of the violent demonstrations, was granted $200 bail, while Japajapa, who is being charged with incitement to commit public violence, successfully applied to have the bail money reduced to $100.

Six people died, while property worth thousands of dollars was destroyed during the violent demonstration.

The pair appeared before magistrate Ms Ruramai Chitumbura on separate records and were remanded to September 4.

They were ordered to surrender their passports, report once a week to the police and to continue residing at their given addresses until the matter is finalised.

Paddington Japajapa

Japajapa is being represented by Mr Simon Simango, while Mr Moses Nkomo is acting on behalf of Kunaka.

MDC-Alliance national chairperson Morgan Komichi, who staged a sideshow during the announcement of presidential election results at the National Results Centre thereby contravening the Electoral Act, was yesterday back in court.

Komichi took to the podium and claimed that his party rejected results that were being announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

When he appeared in court last week, Komichi through his lawyer, Mr Obey Shava, notified the State of his intentions to challenge the legality of his arrest and placement on remand.

When he appeared before magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa yesterday, Komichi, through his lawyer, sought for postponement of the matter to September 5.

Morgan Komichi

Mr Shava said: “Your Worship, there are critical factors which we are still considering together with the State, the factors which will have an effect on the intended application. Therefore, we are seeking for a postponement of the matter.”

Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on August 2, Komichi was at Harare International Conference Centre waiting for the announcement of the results of the July 30 polls by ZEC.

During a break, Komichi went to the podium reserved for ZEC commissioners before announcing that MDC-Alliance disputed the election results, it is alleged.

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