Trio set free for violating national lockdown regulations

CHINHOYI Magistrate Tapiwa Banda on Wednesday 23 June 2021 set free three people by removing them from remand on charges of contravening national lockdown for allegedly partaking in or convening a gathering knowing that such a gathering is prohibited.

Source: Trio set free for violating national lockdown regulations – The Zimbabwean

The trio of Emmanuel Chinanzvavana, Aldini Wairesi and Daniel Hove,
who are opposition MDC Alliance party members and were represented by
Tinomuda Shoko and Paidamoyo Saurombe of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human
Rights, were arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 27
March 2021 in Mutorashanga and charged with contravening section
5(3)(a) of the Public Health COVID-19 Prevention, Containment,
Treatment (National, Lockdown) Consolidation, Containment Amendment
Order 2020.

Prosecutors alleged that Chinanzvavana, Wairesi and Hove, who are out
of custody on RTGS$10 000 bail each, partook or convened an unlawful
gathering of people numbering about 100 at a residential place knowing
that such a gathering is prohibited.

On Wednesday 23 June 2021, Chinanzvavana, Wairesi and Hove were
removed from remand by Magistrate Banda after two state witnesses
Francis Kapuyanyika and Abel Mushipe, who are ZRP officers and who
arrested them in March, once again failed to appear in court for trial
to commence.

This resulted in warrants of arrest being issued against the two law
enforcement agents.

Prosecutors were advised to proceed by issuing summons to compel the
trio to return to court if they intend to proceed with prosecuting
them