HARARE, Apr.10 (NewsDayLive) - The 98 activists who were arrested on March 31 for allegedly participating in an anti-government protest organised by expelled Zanu PF central committee member and outspoken war veteran Blessed Bombshell Geza, have been denied bail and remanded to April 24.
In a ruling made on Thursday, Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova said the release of the accused persons would likely lead to more violent clashes with police.
The suspected protesters are facing charges of participating in an illegal gathering with intent to promote public violence, breach of peace or bigotry.
According to an affidavit presented by the investigating officer detective sergeant Lovemore Chisi of CID Law and Order, the group allegedly gathered at Robert Mugabe Square — commonly known as Freedom Square — intending to march to State House to force President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
Prosecutor Nomsa Kangara, alleges that on arrival at the scene, the protesters threw stones, bricks and other objects at police details while chanting anti-government slogans such as “Enough is enough! Mnangagwa must go!” and “We don’t take orders from fools!”
The demonstrators allegedly barricaded Robert Mugabe Road with stones, bricks and burning tyres before the police intervened to disperse them.
Kangara said police identified the accused through photographs and videos posted on social media platforms, including a WhatsApp group named Nyokayemabhunu, allegedly administered under a South Africa-registered number belonging to Knox Chiwero.
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