via Zanu PF activists turn violent, beat up cops – NewsDay Zimbabwe January 11, 2016 i
THE 12 suspected Chitungwiza-based Zanu PF activists, who physically attacked members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, leaving one of them seriously injured, were granted $100 bail each when they appeared in court on Saturday, facing a public violence charge.
By Sofia Mapuranga
The ruling party activists led by Nicholas Mashayamombe had their case remanded to January 19.
As part of their bail conditions, the suspects were ordered to report three times a week at Makoni Police Station and not to interfere with State witnesses.
The court heard that the violence broke on January 7 this year, when Mashayamombe and his alleged accomplices identified as Gift Zuze, Gladys Zuze, Patrick Muponda, Joseph Chirenje, River Tauzeni, Gibson Chikotore, Taurai Makurumure, Chris Manyati, Average Makurumure, Panganai Chapeyama and Innocent Nhidza were attending a funeral of one of their party members, one Trymore Zuze in Unit D, Seke.
Led by Mashayamombe, the activists carried out a funeral procession towards Unit D shopping centre while carrying a coffin containing Zuze’s body.
Police officers approached them and stopped the procession. This did not go down well with the Zanu PF activists who defied the order.
While acting in cahoots with the other activists, Mashayamombe assaulted Constable Dennis Chigogo, one Superitendent Nyararai and one Constable Boroma.
In the ensuing melee, the police officers arrested Muponda and two others.
The ruling party supporters then armed themselves with stones, wooden sticks, empty beer crates and various other missiles and attacked the police.
Boroma was struck on the forehead and sustained a deep cut and was taken to CITIMED Hospital where his condition was said to be still critical. The following day, police conducted raids at the suspects’ homes and arrested them.
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