SEVERAL Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters were reportedly arrested at the Harare Magistrates Courts yesterday following clashes with the anti-riot police after their colleagues who were arrested recently were denied bail.
According to reports, three CCC supporters were apprehended by the anti-riot police deployed at the magistrates’ court ahead of the bail ruling for the 78 CCC activists.
The disgruntled CCC supporters were ushered out of court by the anti-riot police after magistrate Ruth Moyo denied the 78 CCC activists bail.
Their lawyer Agency Gumbo was ordered by the police to address journalists outside court premises.
However, a few seconds into Gumbo’s address, all hell broke loose as the police descended on the CCC supporters.
A woman, who is reportedly married to Teacher Hondongwa, who is among the activists denied bail, was arrested along with two men during the clashes between police and CCC protesters.
The woman was reportedly detained at Harare Central Police Station, where she is being accused of displaying a placard that was inscribed with the message #Free Teacher Hondongwa #Free Timba #Free Avondale 78
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza yesterday said he was not aware of the incident, adding that he was out of office.
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He referred all questions to national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, whose phone was not reachable yesterday.
Meanwhile, Moyo said releasing the 78 CC activists would undermine the rule of law and jeopardise the safety of the people and confidence in the police force.
Prosecutor Thomas Chanakira alleged that on June 16, police were tipped that the activists were holding an unsanctioned gathering at Timba’s house in preparation for an illegal demonstration.
The court heard that the police called for back-up after noticing that the activists were behaving in a riotous manner.
Chanakira further alleged that police officers, resulting in two of them being injured.
It is alleged that police used brute force to contain the situation.
