via MDC-T MP, activists stay in custody | The Herald 4 September 2014
MDC-T MP for Harare Ronia Bunjira and six other party activists, who allegedly attacked police officers who sought to stop their illegal demonstration, have been further remanded in custody.Bunjira (49), who got into Parliament through proportional representation, is jointly charged with Stanley Manyenga (32), Keith Charumbira, Danmore Tshuma (34), Stewart Gwebe (24), Linnete Chibinya (30) and Bridget Nyandoro (29).
The six were granted bail by magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe, but remained in custody after the State invoked Section 121 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
The section allows the State to hold suspects for a week while it considers appealing.
It is alleged that Bunjira and 40 other party activists, obstructed the free movement of people and traffic as they demonstrated holding placards.
The activists appeared before Mr Milton Serima on Tuesday and prosecutor Miss Sharon Mashavira told the court that the appeal has since been filed at the High Court.
On their previous remand, the group successfully made an application to be medically examined by two doctors after alleging that they were assaulted while in police custody.
However, Miss Mashavira told the court that there had been a challenge at the Remand Prison due to the non-availability of medical doctors.
She then undertook to write a request for enquiry to the officer-in-charge Harare Remand Prison.
The group’s lawyer, Mr Obey Shava, successfully made a fresh application to have his clients medically examined by a doctor of their choice.
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