Mt Selinda demo students in court

AT least 22 Mount Selinda High School students in Chipinge who staged a demonstration against the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe for confiscating a Toyota D4D belonging to the school last year were on Wednesday arraigned before the courts facing charges of public violence.

Manica Post reported that the accused, Tendai Dube, Artwell Marwa, Marley Chiororo, Prosper Muzondi, Ronald Maparanyanga, Sydeny Maparanyanga, Raymore Machingura, Blessing Makamera, Yannick Bondo, Takanaka Kaneta ,Panashe Makotwe and 11 others appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Noah Gwatidzo, facing charges of public violence as defined in Section 36 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

However, the trial had to be adjourned to May 11, as some students told the court that they were waiting for their legal representatives who were still to arrive in Chipinge.

According to the summons which this paper has in possession, it is alleged that on October 5, 2015 at and around 3pm, the accused had a meeting with the school headmaster, Mr Watson Bundwa, demanding the release of a Toyota D4D double cab truck, Registration Number ADI-8961 from the responsible authority (UCCZ).

Prosecuting, Witness Nyamundaya, said two days later on October 7, at around 8pm, the accused allegedly went on to stage a demonstration at UCCZ offices -in Chipinge.

It alleged that the accused persons were ferried from the school to Chipinge town in the school's UD truck.

The court heard that they went to the church's offices armed with sticks and cameras singing songs of the Shona version Mwari Baba Wangu and Nhasi Pano Paita Chimoto.

While there, five of the accused persons who were armed with sticks and camera allegedly entered into the office of the then vice-president of the church, Rev Godfrey Dhundu, while others remained outside singing.

The accused were later addressed by the District Education Officer and the police. They were ordered to go back to school.

"The accused boarded a Gaza High School on their way back, but the bus had a break down at Tsuro Bus Stop. They were later ferried in their school bus to the school.

"On arrival, they grouped with other students and went to the deputy headmaster,  Tarwara Chitombo's house. While at  Chitombo's house, the accused stoned the outside bulb light with stones. They went on to damage the door of the house with the intention of injuring the deputy headmaster and his family.

"The accused also cut the security fence at the girl's dormitories, thereby disturbing peace, security and order at Mt Selinda High School," said  Nyamundaya.

He said on October 8, at around 6pm, the accused grouped again.

They allegedly switched off the generator and went to Chitombo's house, thereby disturbing peace, security and order at the school.

"Police were summoned to attend the scene and the accused stoned the police vehicle resulting in police using tear smoke to bring the situation to normalcy. Property valued at $50 was damaged by the students," he said.