Police are appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of nine suspects including MDC Alliance leaders Tendai Biti and Morgen Komichi who they claim incited violence that rocked Harare last Wednesday.
In a statement issued on Monday, a spokesperson for the CID, Detective Assistant Inspector Portia Chinho said the nine suspects, who also include the party’s youth leader Happymore Chidziva, Jim Kunaka, Paddington Japajapa, Mafaiti Mubaiwa, Jeff Tafadzwa Chaitezvi, Lovejoy Chitengu and Chamunorwa Madya, would face charges under the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act for allegedly participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence.
“They are wanted by the Criminal Investigations Department for Contravening Section 37 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:23,” said Det Asst Insp Chinho.
“That is “Participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry.
“We are appealing to members of the public who may have information that may lead to the arrest of the following to contact Criminal Investigations Department Law and Order Harare on 0242- 779214 or their nearest police station”.
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| Police Hunt For Biti And Komichi As 27 MDC Supporters Appear In Court |
According to the State, on August 1 at about 1200hrs, the 27 accused persons were part of a group that held an illegal demonstration mobilised by the Movement for Democratic Change-Alliance against the alleged delay by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to announce the July 30 presidential election results.
According to the court papers, the suspects, together with about 4 000 others still at large, marched along Rezende Street and Bank Street in Harare Central Business District.
On arrival at the Market Square Police Base, the accused threatened to assault police officers.
They went to corner Rezende Street and Bank Street in Harare where they pulled down a portrait of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, before burning it.
They then allegedly proceeded to KFC food outlet where they stoned the shop, before proceeding to Pizza Inn where they did the same.
The accused also allegedly stoned the Bakers Inn outlet along First street.
A team of police reaction unit intercepted the accused, who ran away along Nelson Mandela.
The court further alleges that the suspects ran amok in Harare’s city centre destroying property, torching vehicles, looting and robbing vendors and pedestrians.
According to the court, six people who were part of the demonstrations were shot dead by soldiers and their deaths are being blamed on the accused persons.
The opposition supporters also tried to storm the National Results Centre at the Harare International Conference Centre.
They also burnt several cars at the ruling party’s provincial headquarters.
