By Wezhira Munya
Yesterday, the Department of Social Welfare, led by the dedicated former senator Vongai Tome within President Chamisa’s administration, successfully paid a bail amount of $350 US dollars for five members of the Gutu West constituency who had been incarcerated in Gutu prison.
[See attached receipts of the bail paid]
Advocate Martin Mureri, a renowned human rights lawyer and member of parliament representing Masvingo urban, provided legal representation for the detained opposition party members.
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Following the payment, the five accused individuals have been released from prison.
It is worth noting that Senator Tome was unlawfully recalled from her position as senator by Sengezo Tshabangu, the secretary general of the Citizens Coalition for Change party.
Magistrate Molly Gwatida ruled that the accused must pay a bail amount of $70 US dollars or its equivalent in Zimbabwean RTGS currency.
Under the conditions of their bail, namely Patrick Chimbare, Tapiwa Chiro, Providence Goremushandu, Brian Sithole, and Takudzwa Mashiri must remain at their registered address until the conclusion of their appeal.
Expressing his gratitude, Chimbare stated, “I would like to extend my gratitude to Advocate Martin Mureri for successfully representing us. We are now free on bail, and hopefully, our appeal at the High Court will clear us of any guilt. We maintain our innocence.”
Similarly, Sithole said, “We sincerely appreciate the bail payment made by President Chamisa through Senator Vongai Tome’s department. This act demonstrates President Chamisa’s concern for us, his party members. Given the challenging economic environment, we would not have been able to afford the $350 US dollars for bail.”
Previously, Magistrate Mitchell Pnanavanhu had sentenced these individuals to nine months in prison without the option of a fine. They had already served nearly two weeks in Gutu prison. The charges against them were related to an alleged assault on Zanu PF members at Chiriga Business Centre on the day President Nelson Chamisa was scheduled to speak at a rally.
During the rally, which aimed to gather support for CCC candidate Mr. Ephraem Morudu in the by-election campaign against Zanu PF member John Paradza, violent incidents allegedly perpetrated by Zanu PF members resulted in injuries to several CCC members and destruction of their property. However, the police have yet to apprehend the perpetrators.
The rally was later disbanded by national organizer Amos Chibaya.
Senator Tome and her Welfare department, established by President Nelson Chamisa, have played a crucial role in providing financial support for bail, food, and the general well-being of opposition party victims and prisoners.
Furthermore, the Welfare department has covered the educational expenses of children whose parents are opposition party members in prison or deceased.
Under Senator Tome’s leadership, the Welfare department, in collaboration with concerned Zimbabweans, has constructed houses for opposition members whose residences were destroyed by Zanu PF. They have also covered the medical expenses of injured opposition party members.
Senator Tome, alongside the Welfare department, has worked in conjunction with the Organizing department led by Honorable Amos Chibaya, Honorable Ostallos, Honorable Prince Dubeko Sibanda, Honorable Mapulanka, Honorable Madzinganiso, Honorable Mlilo, Senator Maggie Chakabuda, Honorable Martin Mureri, Honorable Matara, Honorable Madzikanda, Honorable Pedzisai Gasva, Mrs. Madziviri, Director Farai Chinobva, among others, to visit and provide assistance to displaced villagers in Masvingo West.
The aforementioned efforts exemplify the commendable work carried out by President Chamisa’s Welfare department in support of opposition party members.
Tome said, she appreciate the assistance her department is getting from well wishers in Zimbabwe and abroad. This helps enables social Walfare department to assist political victims.
