School pupils face public violence charges

GOVERNMENT has charged six school-going juveniles, among them a primary school pupil, with public violence following their arrest on allegations of being part of last Wednesday’s anti-government protests to force President Robert Mugabe to step down.

Source: School pupils face public violence charges – Southern Eye July 13, 2016

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

The pupils, all residing at Burombo flats in Bulawayo, were arrested on Saturday during a police raid and were released into the custody of their parents and guardians.

On Monday, the minors appeared at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court and were remanded to July 28 for trial.

The juveniles are represented by Lizwe Jamela and Jonathan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

The State alleges that the pupils joined 500 other protestors in the demonstrations that rocked the city, which later turned violent after police fired teargas canisters to disperse the crowd in Luveve suburb.

It is alleged that the pupils looted some groceries from Mzilikazi Supermarket owned by Tapiwa Kapota.

Meanwhile, three other Bulawayo residents arrested last Saturday for allegedly obstructing smooth flow of traffic in the
city also appeared in court on Monday and were released on $50 bail each.

Peter Chirume (25), Mike Chizunza (24) and Maxwell Dhadha (23) are alleged to have barricaded city roads using burning tyres during the nationwide stay away, thereby obstructing the free movement of traffic and persons.

Eighty-four other protesters appeared in court on Monday and were granted $80 bail each.