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Mutare Deputy Mayor, 13 MDC members granted bail but 15 denied
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
March 18, 2009

A Murambinda Magistrate on 18 March 2009 granted bail to Mutare Deputy Mayor Admire Mukorera, who is facing allegations of instigating public violence. Magistrate Tendai Mahwe ordered Alderman Mukorera, who was rearrested by the police on 17 March 2009 to deposit US$50 in bail money, to surrender his vehicle, to reside at his given address and not to interfere with State witnesses. In another separate but related matter, Magistrate Mahwe granted bail to thirteen (13) Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) members who are facing charges of extortion. The court ordered the 13 members to pay US$20 bail money.

The 13 MDC-T members namely, Jackson Zheke, Akim Tavarwisa, David Nyamunda, Cuthbert Ndawana, Paul Mashingaidze (Headman), Jephas Zhanje (Headman), Obey Makuwa, Dumisani Shumba, Joram Shumba, Douglas Shumba, George Makuwa, Crispen Muchenje and Diet Zindimba are alleged to have asked some ZANU PF supporters who unlawfully confiscated their property including poultry to eat at ZANU PF "bases" during the run-up to the June 27 Presidential elections to return them. The individuals from ZANU PF who allegedly committed acts of theft had not been arrested by the police during the run-up to the June 27 Presidential elections.

The contending groups from ZANU PF and MDC-T are reported to have agreed with the Headmen in the area to use the traditional means of settling disputes. It was agreed that the Headmen be part of the team that would visit and engage people who had seized the MDC-T members' possessions and ask them to return the property. The Headmen reportedly executed that duty. But when the chickens and other goods were returned amicably, one ZANU PF supporter known for committing offences against MDC-T supporters with impunity then went to the police and reported a case of extortion. The ZANU PF supporters involved admitted that they unlawfully seized the property and that they intended to restitute in order to restore normal relations in the community. Some ZANU PF supporters even opted to pay in cash for the chickens they 'stole' to achieve reconciliation and restorative justice. The police have however opted for criminal prosecutions against the aggrieved MDC-T individuals.

Meanwhile, 14 of the 15 MDC supporters who are facing charges of public violence after they allegedly assaulted several people and burnt houses of ZANU PF supporters in Buhera were denied bail by Magistrate Mahwe on 18 March 2009. The 15 have been identified as Tafara Maramire, Alban Taruvinga, Hardlife Tovera, Richard Tovera, Peter Utete, Pinniel Mubayi, Munoda Nhunge, Pondai Dzokurasa, Rindai Muchesa, Peter Tovera, Dzingai Takavada, Edna Chari, Mike Mashingaidze and Ephraim Marimira. Of the 15 only Rindai Muchesa was granted bail on the basis that she had a suckling child.

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