Baba Jukwa saga: UZ student remanded in custody

via Baba Jukwa saga: UZ student remanded in custody July 3, 2014 by Phillip Chidavaenzi

A 20-YEAR-OLD University of Zimbabwe student Romeo Musemburi, who allegedly posted an email message to the shadowy Facebook character Baba Jukwa soliciting for arms of war to fight for democracy in the country, was yesterday remanded in custody to July 16.

Musemburi was not asked to plead to charges of attempting to commit an act of insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism when he briefly appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe.

When the magistrate asked him if he had any complaints against the police, Musemburi said he could not disclose some information to the police because of fear.
“I felt threatened during investigations such that I could not say certain things,” Musemburi, who arrived at the court in handcuffs in the company of police detectives and his lawyer Tonderai Bhatasara said.

Prosecutor Michael Reza alleged that the third year Economics student who resides in Waterfalls wrote an article requesting weapons to “hit the streets and fight for democracy” and, through his email account romeomusemburi@gmail.com posted it to babajukwa2013@gmail.com.

The court heard that the article had the effect of attempting to commit an act of insurgency, banditry, sabotage and terrorism with a view to overthrow the government through unconstitutional means.

Musemburi’s arrest after handing himself over to the police and his court appearance follows that of Sunday Mail editor Edmund and his brother Phillip Kudzayi in connection with the Baba Jukwa saga.

The list of suspects targeted by the police includes The Zimbabwean publisher Wilf Mbanga and his wife Trish, a system and software engineer Walter Shoko, computer programmer Samson Chifamba, George Chirakasha, Anomie Drew, Piniel Nhokodi, Sarudzai Florence (all based in the UK) and journalist Mxolisi Ncube who is based in South Africa.