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Epworth legislator freed on bail
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)

June 08, 2010

Bindura Magistrate Ruramayi Chitumbura on Tuesday 8 June 2010 released on bail Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Member of Parliament for Epworth Hon. Eliah Jembere and the party's Provincial Treasurer for Mashonaland Central Province Gilbert Kagodora, who were arrested for allegedly insulting and undermining the authority of President Robert Mugabe.

Hon. Jembere and Kagodora were arrested on Saturday 5 June 2010 at an open space at Wadzanai in Shamva, Mashonaland Central, for allegedly contravening Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 by undermining the authority of or insulting President Mugabe.

State prosecutor Emmanuel Muchenga alleged that Hon. Jembere insulted President Mugabe by saying "Mugabe mudenga, ZANU PF mudenga, vabatanidzei, roverai roverai pasi," which the police interpreted as meaning to say "Mugabe up, ZANU PF up, bring them together and drop them down."

The State alleges that Hon. Jembere made the utterances when he addressed his party's supporters at a constitution making awareness campaign meeting held in Shamva, where MDC Women's Assembly and Minister of Public Works, Theresa Makone was the guest speaker.

The State also alleges that Kagodora uttered a slogan, which denounces the President when in his address to party supporters said; "Mugabe mudenga, Grace mudenga, vabatanidzei, roverai pasi," which the police deduced to mean "Mugabe up, Grace up, bring them together and drop them on the ground."

The State alleges that Kagodora uttered the slogan with the knowledge that the statement may engender feelings of hostility towards President Mugabe.

Magistrate Chitumbura granted free bail to both Hon. Jembere and Kagodora after Jeremiah Bamu of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) applied for bail. The Magistrate did not set down any reporting conditions for the duo. Prosecutor Muchenga did not oppose bail as he indicated that he was yet to obtain authority to prosecute from the Attorney General (AG)'s Office.

Bamu gave notice of his intention to apply for refusal of further remand when Hon. Jembere and Kagodora will appear in court on 24 June 2010.

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