Chivi Magistrate denies bail of CCC Chivi South ward 28 aspiring councillor candidate who was imprisoned for pocking FAZ member.
Citizens Coalition for Change Chivi South ward 28, aspiring councillor Mr Ishmael Zireva’s bail application denied today. He will serve two months in prison, after bail application pending appeal was denied by the magistrate. Chivi magistrate Esq Nyoni found Zireva guilty of pocking Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ) member Mr Vurayai Brighton aged 50.
FAZ is an organization that was responsible for conducting Zanu PF primary elections. But Zireva denied the allegations of pocking FAZ member. The magistrate ruling states that, “There was overwhelming evidence against the accused in the trial such that there is no prospects of success on appeal as far as conviction is concerned.”
Magistrate Nyoni further states that, “On sentence the cases of politically motivated violence should be dealt with deterrent sentence to ensure a peaceful election , therefore the court should impose a deterrent sentence so as to deter the would be offenders. The sentence is far and there is no likehood of succeeding on appeal hence bail is denied.”
Commenting on the magistrate’s ruling Mr Jonah Wakurawarerwa Ward 8 aspiring Councillor, CCC member said, “This judgment is politically motivated, how can poking FAZ member warrants four months in prison? This is harsh judgment that has never been passed in post independence.” The critical question is who wrote the Judgement.
Mr Samuel Ngoni political commentor who said, “This harsh judgment delivered by magistrate Nyoni was influenced by deadly FAZ. In all fairness the learned magistrate was supposed to give either community service or dismiss the case. We hope the High Court will give bail and squash this judgment.”
The state witness is Mr Nicholas Chipeta who is Zanu PF ward 30 chair. Mr Zireva was nominated uncontested as CCC councillor on 5th April 2023. The human rights lawyers representing Zireva are: Advocate Martin Mureri and Advocate Dereck Charamba. The two advocates will apply for bail application at High Court on Monday next week.
The FAZ and Zanu PF members besieged Chivi Court as the magistrate delivered the judgment. After today’s judgment Advocates: Mureri and Charamba, Champions Jonah Wakurawarerwa and Thomas Mbetu visited CCC members Zireva and Masocha in Chivi remand prison. The two political prisons are in high spirits although Zireva is not feeling well.
They thank CCC members for financial, material and moral support.
In addition, they are requesting your prayers in this difficult moments.
