A ZVISHAVANE magistrate has issued a warrant of search and seizure against the owner of a studio in the mining town, who is suspected of printing and distributing fliers inciting illegal demonstrations and public violence on August 16.
An opposition activist, identified as Jeff Judah Hosanna, based in the diaspora is reportedly the brains behind the planned protests to be held ahead of the Sadc Heads of State and Government Summit.
The protests are allegedly meant to challenge Zanu PF’s continued rule, with concerns from the organisers and their supporters that the ruling party has destroyed the country in the 44 years it has been in power.
The protesters’ concerns are that only a few in the echelons of power, along with their kith and kin, enjoy the fruits of Zimbabwe’s hard-earned independence while the rest of the citizens are wallowing in abject poverty.
According to a warrant of search and seizure dated August 7, directed to police officers, magistrate Rachel Mukanga indicated that the law enforcement agents should search and seize studio property belonging to Givemore Makandire, who owns and operates Jive Studio in the town.
“Where from information taken upon oath before myself, there are reasonable grounds for believing that Givemore Makandire, who operates Jive Studio in Zvishavane, is engaging in printing and distributing political fliers inciting illegal demonstrations and public violence,” the warrant read.
“Thus seizing possession or control of all his information technology equipment and related documents which are required as exhibits in a criminal docket and that it is necessary for the purpose of investigating or detecting a case of incitement to commit public violence as defined in section 187 as read with section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 09:23].”
The magistrate noted in the warrant that section 49(b) stipulates that the State may, in accordance with this part, “ seize any article, b) which is on reasonable grounds believed may afford evidence of the commission or suspected commission of an offence, whether within Zimbabwe or elsewhere”.
“It is, therefore, directed that Givemore Makandire should avail or afford the peace officers and law officers’ unconditional access to his studio,” the warrant read.
“These are, therefore, in the State’s name to command you to proceed to Makandire’s studio and therefrom immediately obtain and take into your custody the information technology equipment, related documents and take them to a police station or any other place of safety until the matter is finalised or until you further receive further orders from court.”
More than 100 pro-democracy activists have been arrested and detained across the country as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration seeks to thwart any protests or demonstrations during the Sadc summit.
