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Treason charges against Munyaradzi Gwisai & others - Index of articles
State prosecutor pushes for maximum sentence in Gwisai case
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition
March 20, 2012
State prosecutor
Edmore Nyazemba is pushing for the imposition of the maximum sentence
of 10 years in the case
against Munyaradzi Gwisai and 5 other human rights activists
despite the defense's submissions for a non- custodial sentence.
Responding to
submissions by Muchadehama for the six activists to pay a USD500
fine each, Nyazemba referred to the activists as serious offenders
who are likely to commit similar offences if given lighter sentences.
In justifying his submissions, Nyazemba said, 'If you give
the accused lighter sentences, it will send the wrong message to
the world. It will not be unusual for the court to sentence the
accused to the maximum sentence of 10 years.' He further stated
that any lesser sentence 'will bring the criminal justice
system to ridicule and prompt like- minded individuals to commit
the same crime. We do not want to be caught sending the wrong message
to the public.'
Nyazemba further
exposed ZANU PF's fear of Zimbabweans' growing dissent
to its 32 year hold on power by implying that the government should
not be open to criticism. 'The existing authorities have been
put in place by God and in the bible those who challenged their
leaders were stoned', said Nyazemba before quoting Numbers
16 and Romans 13 much to the chagrin of more than 80 people who
attended the mitigation.
In his response
to Nyazemba, Muchadehama warned the state prosecutor against using
the activists as 'sacrificial lambs' and criticised
the suggestions by the Prosecutor that the activists be stoned referring
to stoning as 'an archaic and barbaric form of punishment'.
The defence further submitted that the activists are being punished
for questioning the authority of the government which is permissible
in a democratic state. 'Governments can actually be removed
even by peaceful protesters,' said Muchadehama.
Attempts by
the Prosecution to apply for the commitment of the six activists
ahead of their sentencing tomorrow, 21 March 2012 hit a brick wall
with the Magistrate, Kudakwashe Jarabini insisting that this would
pre- empty his judgement. Sentencing is expected at 1415 hours.
The developments
witnessed clearly indicate that ZANU PF through the judiciary system
is intent on making an example of the six pro- democracy advocates
to deter dissent and criticism of the government. This, coupled
with the continued incarceration
of the Glen View 29 and the delay in granting them bail, is
clear evidence of the prosecution by persecution of pro- democracy
advocates by the ZANU PF controlled government.
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in Zimbabwe fact
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