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Zimbabwe: MDC Activists Trial Date Set
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 Published by the government of Zimbabwe |
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The Herald (Harare)
10 May 2008
Posted to the web 12 May 2008
Harare
The trial of two journalists and five suspected MDC-T activists accused of setting ablaze a Mandaza bus in Warren Park last month has been set for June 11.
Freelance journalist Frank Chikowore and Luke Tamborinyoka, who works for the party's information department together with Kudakwashe Matibiri, Fortune Isheunesu Gwaze, Severino Machiwana, Stewart Chininga and Admire Matsenura, are being charged with public violence.
Defence lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama intended to apply for refusal of further remand for the seven, but instead, prosecutor Mr Public Mpofu provided them with a trial date before the application was made. The seven were last week granted $5 billion bail each by the High Court after spending two weeks in custody. It is alleged the gang went to a roundabout in Warren Park with the intention of barricading the road as part of the aborted MDC-T's mass stay-away called for last month. The State further alleges that the gang threw stones at the bus that was coming from Botswana and damaged its windows before setting it alight by placing a burning tyre underneath it. The bus caught fire while the passengers and the bus crew escaped unhurt as it went up in flames.
Meanwhile, defence lawyer Mr Muchadehama applied for the release of the other eight suspects who are also being charged for public violence and circulating inciting messages. Mr Muchadehama said the application made on behalf of the eight who were last month denied bail by another magistrate, was now based on changed circumstances.
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He said they were denied bail on the basis that the political climate was volatile but in fresh application, Mr Muchadehama said the election period was over according to the Electoral Act and so should be released.
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