Suspended sentence for Zim's Egypt uprising plotters

FORMER Highfield legislator and University of Zimbabwe law lecturer Munyaradzi Gwisai and five accomplices who were on Monday convicted of conspiring to commit public violence have been slapped with 2 years in prison, wholly suspended for 5 years in addition to 420 hours of community service and a fine of $500 each.

There were wild celebrations at the Rotten Row Magistrates courts when the magistrate gave handed down the sentence.

The prosecution had on Tuesday urged the court to slap the six with the maximum sentence of 10 years in jail as the option of fine would trivialise the offence.

Gwisai was jointly charged with Antoneta Choto (36), Tatenda Mombeyarara (29), Edson Chakuma (38), Hopewell Gumbo (32) and Welcome Zimuto (25).

Gwisai and Antonetor Choto have been asked to perform the community service at Haig Park Primary School in Mabelreign while Tatenda Mombeyarara is expected to perform his unpaid duties at Zengeza 4 High School.

Edson Chakuma has been asked to go to Warren Park Primary School, while Queensdale Primary School will enjoy the services of Hopewell Gumbo.

Welcome Zimuto will perform the community service at Chinhoyi Hospital.

Soon after the sentence was passed, the defence represented by Mr Aleck Muchadehama indicated that they are going to appeal against both conviction and sentence.

Mr Muchadehama further made an application to have his clients given up to the 30th of this month to pay the US$500 fine.

The defence further filed a notice of their intention to make an application for the suspension of the community service, pending outcome on their appeal against both conviction and sentence.

The state represented by Mr Michael Reza told the court that he needs time to prepare a response to the applications made by the defence council.