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18
MDC Activists Now Clear of Terror Charges
Lindie Whiz, NewZimbabwe.com
June 12, 2007
http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/mdc103.16530.html
SIX of the seven
activists from Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) charged with firebombing offices of the ruling Zanu PF party
in Harare finally won their freedom on Monday after being held for
two months in remand prison.
Amos Musekiwa,
the seventh man arrested on the same charges, was granted bail and
remains on remand.
The six MDC
activists -- Hatred Mutasa, Chumudara Amisi, Moses Mutasa, Peter
Bokosi, Edmore Munyofa and Fungai Katurudza -- had their application
for refusal of further remand granted.
Last week, police
released six other activists -- including journalist Luke Tamborinyoka
-- facing charges of undegoing military training in South Africa.
Prosecutors withdrew the charges.
Glen View MP
Paul Madzore and 11 other activists facing charges of setting off
several petrol bombs across the country also had the charges withdrawn
before plea. So far, 18 of the 31 men arrested in police raids around
Harare have been cleared of the terror charges.
But Madzore
and the 11 activists who had their charges altered last week are
yet to apply for refusal of further remand on the second charge
of undergoing banditry training in South Africa.
Magistrate Gloria
Takundwa set bail for Musekiwa at $1 million on Monday. He was ordered
to report three times a week to the CID law and order section in
Harare. Musekiwa was also told he should reside at his given address
until the finalisation of the case and not to interfere with investigations.
In her ruling,
Takundwa said that the state had failed to provide the six other
co-defendants with a trial date. Prosecutors could still use summons
to bring the men to trial if they wish to, the magistrate advised.
The seven men
were being accused of gathering at Stodart Hall in Mbare armed with
four petrol bombs, a hand grenade and an anti-riot tear gas canister
on March 27 this year.
The prosecution
alleged that the group bombed the Joshua Nkomo Zanu PF district
offices in Mbare with the ammunition, injuring seven occupants and
destroying property worth $4,5 million.
Police alleged
that they recovered a pair of sandals belonging to Musekiwa at the
bombing scene leading to his arrest.
The MDC denies
charges of unleashing a reign of terror targeting police stations
and passenger trains.
"All these
charges are frivolous and a desperate attempt to implicate the MDC,"
said Nelson Chamisa, an MDC spokesman. "What is disturbing
is that innocent people have been made to serve a prison term by
being detained all this time on false charges."
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