Gwisai has a case to answer - court

UNIVERSITY of Zimbabwe law lecturer and political activist, Munyaradzi Gwisai will stand trial on charges of inciting public violence after a Harare magistrate dismissed an application for discharge by his lawyers.

The Provincial Magistrate presiding over the matter between the state and Munyaradzi Gwisai has dismissed the defence's application of discharge saying the accused has a case to answer.

Provincial Magistrate, Kudakwashe Jarabini who is presiding over the case pitying Gwisai and five others versus the state on allegations of conspiracy to commit public violence and to disturb peace in Zimbabwe ruled against the accused persons' application for discharge.

Handing down his ruling, Jarabini notified the defence counsel and the accused persons that having duly considered all the submissions and evidence it was clear that the state had managed to establish a prima-facie case, hence the accused have to be put to their defence.

Gwisai and his five-co-accused persons are being charged for having connived to disturb peace, security or public order.

The charges arose from an incident which occurred in the capital in February last year where the accused jointly connived to topple the inclusive government through an Egyptian-style uprising.

Following the magistrate's ruling, the trial will now continue with the accused persons being put to their defence.