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Police arrest Tsvangirai's drivers as MP and Mabvuku residents released from custody
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
February 14, 2011

Beitbridge police on Friday 11 February 2011 arrested two drivers of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and charged them with flouting the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use) Regulations.

The drivers Clifford Sanyika and Joshua Mhuruyengwe, who were arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post on their way from South Africa were charged with contravening Section 29 (1) (10) or alternatively Section 29 (3) of Statutory Instrument 154 of 2010 for allegedly driving two vehicles fitted with blue beacon lights.

Prosecutors claim that the drivers had no authority to drive vehicles fitted with beacon lights. They said only a motor vehicle used by or for the purposes of the police force or military police of the Zimbabwe National Army or used for escorting the vehicle in which the President or a person authorised by the President is travelling may be equipped with a blue beacon light.

Tsvangirai's drivers deny the charge. The driver's lawyer Kossam Ncube of Ncube and Partners, who is a member of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, said the beacon lights were not fitted on top of the cars but were placed inside the car after being collected in South Africa.

Beitbridge Magistrate Gloria Takundwa will on Tuesday 15 February 2011 deliver a ruling on a bail application which was filed by Ncube when the drivers appeared in court on Monday 14 February 2011.

Meanwhile, Kadoma Magistrate only identified as Chavi on Monday 14 February 2011 granted bail to Gokwe-Kabuyuni Member of Parliament Hon. Costin Muguti and 11 Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters.
Magistrate Chavi ordered Hon. Muguti and the MDC supporters to deposit $20 with the Clerk of Court. Hon. Muguti who initially was facing charges of public violence had his charges altered to disorderly conduct.

In Harare, police released from custody 51 Mabvuku residents who were arrested on Saturday 12 February 2011 for allegedly contravening Section 186 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

The 51 residents were released on summons. However, Councillor Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi remained in police custody.

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