By Nyasha Dube
TWENTY-three of the 25 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members, who were arrested two weeks ago in Budiriro, Harare, have been granted relief after Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda yesterday granted them $30 000 bail each.
Two senior citizens, aged 72 and 81, who are part of the 25, were released on free bail.
In her ruling, magistrate Dzuda said that the 25 should be released on bail as they had been arrested at a private property while conducting a private meeting.
She also dismissed claims by the State that if granted bail, the accused were a flight risk, saying most of them were self-employed and could not afford to start a new life in a foreign country.
Magistrate Dzuda also noted that there was little to no chance that they would interfere with investigations as the witnesses in the matter were unknown, which makes it difficult for any person to interfere with them before ordering them to post $30 000 bail each and remanded them to February 3.
The 25 were arrested two weeks ago at the home of Budiriro MP Costa Machingauta for attending Presidential Assembly meeting at the residence.
They are being charged for allegedly gathering with intent to promote public violence.
While at the meeting, the State alleges that the party members dressed in part regalia, started chanting “Ngaapinde hake mukomana, 2023 (Nelson) Chamisa chete chete”.
They were arrested after the police received a tip-off that the members were holding an illegal gathering at the house.
It is further alleged that the police observed that the party members’ conduct was disturbing the peace of some of the local residents.
According to the police, they reportedly ordered them to disperse, but they resisted, leading to their arrest. – Daily News