Opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume was yesterday appeared in court on allegations that he was part of the gathering that saw the arrest of 78 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists in June.
The CCC activists, including the faction’s leader Jameson Timba, have been in remand since they were arrested on June 16 while celebrating the Day of the African Child at the former deputy minister’s house in Avondale.
Ngarivhume (46) was arrested on Friday in Mutare before being transferred to Harare for the court appearance and was jointly charged with Kelvin Gonde (45) on two counts of participating in an unlawful gathering and disorderly conduct.
Magistrate Ruth Moyo remanded Mgarivhume and Gonde in custody to August 7 for bail hearing.
Their lawyers had challenged their arrest, which they said violated the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
Mupanda also challenged Ngarivhume’s placement on remand.
Prosecutor Ephraim Zinyandu claimed that on June 16 this year, police received information that the duo and 78 CCC activists were at an unlawful gathering in Timba’s house.
Zinyandu said police went to Timba’s house and on arrival they discovered a crowd who allegedly behaved in riotous manner.
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The accused persons allegedly threw stones towards the police officers.
Two police officers were injured and a ZRP Mahindra vehicle was damaged.
He said the activists were later apprehended after the police used tear smoke leading to their subsequent arrest.
Zinyandu said he will lead evidence showing that Ngarivhume and Gonde were positively identified at the scene while committing the crime and there were several witnesses, who will testify against them.
The value of the damaged motor vehicle, the prosecutor, was US$250.
The trial of the CCC activists started on Thursday last week after they were arrested for attending an illegal gathering at Timba’s residence with the intent of engaging in public violence and disorderly conduct.
In April last year, Ngarivhume was sentenced to 48 months in jail by Harare magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka for allegedly organizing protests on July 31, 2020. The conviction was overtuned by the High Court in December last year.
Meanwhile, the Harare magistrates court yesterday cancelled a warrant of arrest issued against Zimbabwe National Students Union president Emmanuel Stima.
Stima was arrested at the Robert Mugabe International Airport on Friday on allegations that he had failed to appear in court over an ongoing matter.o
Police have in recent days arrested scores of opposition and civil society activists on charges of plotting demonstrations and others are being charged over offences that date back to 2019.
The crackdown has been linked to the forthcoming Southern African Development Community summit to be held in Harare where the government fears that Zimbabwans will stage demonstrations to register their dissatisfaction over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule.
