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Nokutenda Chiyangwa and Anesu Madiye
The trial of 27 MDC-Alliance supporters — who reportedly went on a rampage, destroying property, torching vehicles, blocking roads and attacking people in Harare’s central business district (CBD) — is expected to begin on October 9.

The suspects — 19 men and eight women — including former Zanu-PF member and losing MDC-Alliance parliamentary candidate Shadreck Mashayamombe — were advised of their trial date when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Nyasha Vhitorini.

They are out on $50 bail.

As part of their bail terms, the gang members are supposed to report once a week to the police, reside at their given addresses and not to interfere with witnesses and investigations.

They are being represented by Messrs Gift Mtisi, James Makiya, Kossam Ncube, Denford Halimani and Lizwe Jamela, while Mr Michael Reza prosecuted.

It is the State’s case that on August 1 at about midday, the gang, in connivance with their alleged accomplices still at large, held an illegal demonstration against the alleged delay by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to announce presidential election results.

They marched in the CBD singing and chanting MDC-Alliance slogans.

It is alleged that they harassed police officers at Market Square police base before pulling down a billboard, which had the face of President Mnangagwa and burnt it.