By Wezhira Munya

Masvingo High Court judge, Zisengwe, today granted bail to eight members of the Chiredzi Central Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). They are being represented by Advocate Ross Chavi. Each accused person is required to pay a bail amount of $100,000 RTGS.

These individuals had spent 13 days in Chiredzi Remand Prison following their arrest on July 5th, 2023. The accused persons are Farai Chauke, Kudzanai Madyira, Charles Mungati, Gladmore Gunguwo, Shonhai Mollen, Loyd Mucharu, Agrippa Dhambureni, and Simon Hlomani. They were arrested at Tshovani Stadium after the police fired tear gas at them to disperse them from attending President Nelson Chamisa’s rally.

The eight accused persons are being charged under the Maintenance of Peace Act [MOPA]. Mr. Ropafadzo Makumire, the aspiring member of parliament for Chiredzi Central CCC, expressed his excitement following the granting of bail. However, he stated that their arrest was unlawful and the denial of bail by the Chiredzi Magistrate Court is unfair considering that the rally was initially authorised.