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(NEWZIMBABWE) Gwisai has case to answer: magistrate

Gwisai has case to answer: magistrate
15/02/2012 00:00:00
by Phyllis Mbanje

UNIVERSITY of Zimbabwe law lecturer and political activist, Munyaradzi Gwisai, will stand trial on charges of inciting public violence after a Harare magistrate dismissed an application for discharge by his lawyers.

Defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama had sought the acquittal of his client arguing the state failed to provide substantial evidence, but provincial magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabani ruled Wednesday that Gwisai and five co-accused have a case to answer.

Gwisai was initially charged with treason after being arrested on February 19 last year while watching and discussing video footage of anti-government protests in Egypt and Tunisia with 50 other people at the Zimbabwe Labour Centre in Harare.

Unbeknown to the group, an “under cover” police officer, Jonathan Shoko, had infiltrated the meeting and, as discussions continued, police officers and CIO operatives stormed the venue and arrested 46 people including Gwisai.

The treason charges were later varied to inciting public violence while 39 of the accused were released for lack of evidence.

But charges against Gwisai, Antoneta Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Edson Chakuma, Hopewell Gumbo and Welcome Zimuto were upheld.
All six are out on $2,000 bail.

When trial opened on September 14, the “undercover” police officer Jonathan Shoko – the key state witness -- was unmasked as a CIO operative after he failed to produce his police badge and identity documents.

And after underwhelming testimonies by three other state witnesses, defence lawyers applied for acquittal arguing the state had failed to produce sufficient evidence.
However, the trial will continue on February 27 after the court dismissed the application.

Labels: COURTS, MUNYARADZI GWISAI

posted by MrK @ 4:42 PM