Zanu-PF activists denied bail for murder

Zanu-PF's bid to secure the freedom of its seven members who were arrested early this month over the murder of an MDC-T activist in Mudzi suffered a blow on Friday after High Court judge Justice Hlekani Mwayera denied them bail.
 
Zanu-PF has hired top Harare lawyer Charles Warara to represent the accused activists.
 
 Mwayera in denying the accused bail said the country was about to conduct elections and that the seven could interfere with State witnesses adding that they were a flight risk.

The accused include a Zanu-PF councillor in Mudzi David Chimukoko (45), Graciano Kazingizi (33), Biggie Office (30), Raphael Bobo (31), Perkins Karikoga (27), Phillip Katsande (59) and Eric Chatiza (44) were remanded in custody to June 29.

MDC-T Mudzi ward 1 chairperson Cephas Magura (60) was allegedly fatally assaulted during a politically-motivated attack in Mudzi by Zanu-PF activists after supporters of the two rival parties clashed at Chimukoko Business Centre.

The seven alleged assailants were charged with murder and public violence when they appeared before Mutoko magistrate Danny Marecha, who remanded them in custody and advised them to apply for bail at the High Court.

Allegations against the seven are that on the day in question, a group of MDC-T supporters were holding a rally at Chimukoko Business Centre in Mudzi District while the accused were also holding their own meeting at a community hall at the same business centre.

It is alleged that the seven armed themselves with a variety of weapons and proceeded to attack the MDC-T members.

It is during the attack, according to the State, that Magura was fatally assaulted.