News / National
19 MDC-T activists arrested for impersonating government officials
30 Apr 2013 at 05:17hrs | Views
NINETEEN MDC-T activists accused of impersonating government officials in Hatcliffe, Harare by moving door-to-door, ordering residents to register with them as voters were on Monday remanded in custody pending their bail application hearing on Tuesday.
Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe remanded the 19 in custody after prosecutor Mr Gift Zumbika opposed bail.
The activists, who wore golf T-shirts inscribed "Ministry of Home Affairs" and caps with a Government logo, were moving door- to- door asking residents if they had registered to vote before ordering those who had not to register.
They were also found in possession of a voters roll.
Maxwell Tosvo (35), Martha Makuwatsine (52), Moud Mukarati (49), Livingstone Gatsi (39), Pharaoh Kapfunde (41), Innocent Mutukwa (23), Clever Bondera (36), Rebecca Muzire (42), Maclaren Kapwanya (27), Bigboy Kadungure (36), Cairo Kapwanya (27), Betty Ticharwa (53), Gladys Muzerengwa (43), Beauty Billiate (51), Angeline Mhokore (55), Memory Bechani (45), Lovemore Tsoko (21), Antonette Mapfumo (42) and Tracy Maponde (64) ' are being charged with impersonation.
The party's co-ordinator for Hatcliffe ward 42, Sipelile Dzimati, was on the run.
Charges against the 19 arose between April 18 and 25 when the activists, acting in connivance, divided themselves into three groups with Tosvo, Mukarati and Makuwatsine being the group leaders.
They allegedly moved from door to door purporting to be Government workers from the Ministry of Home Affairs on official duty of voter verification and voter registration awareness.
It is the State's case that the activists, who were in possession of a voters roll, were asking residents if they had registered to vote before ordering those who had not to register.
On April 25 police, acting on a tip-off, arrested the gang and upon interrogations they disclosed that they were members of the MDC-T.
They also indicated that they were acting in connivance with Dzimati, it is alleged. Mr Denford Halimani is representing the 19.
Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe remanded the 19 in custody after prosecutor Mr Gift Zumbika opposed bail.
The activists, who wore golf T-shirts inscribed "Ministry of Home Affairs" and caps with a Government logo, were moving door- to- door asking residents if they had registered to vote before ordering those who had not to register.
They were also found in possession of a voters roll.
Maxwell Tosvo (35), Martha Makuwatsine (52), Moud Mukarati (49), Livingstone Gatsi (39), Pharaoh Kapfunde (41), Innocent Mutukwa (23), Clever Bondera (36), Rebecca Muzire (42), Maclaren Kapwanya (27), Bigboy Kadungure (36), Cairo Kapwanya (27), Betty Ticharwa (53), Gladys Muzerengwa (43), Beauty Billiate (51), Angeline Mhokore (55), Memory Bechani (45), Lovemore Tsoko (21), Antonette Mapfumo (42) and Tracy Maponde (64) ' are being charged with impersonation.
Charges against the 19 arose between April 18 and 25 when the activists, acting in connivance, divided themselves into three groups with Tosvo, Mukarati and Makuwatsine being the group leaders.
They allegedly moved from door to door purporting to be Government workers from the Ministry of Home Affairs on official duty of voter verification and voter registration awareness.
It is the State's case that the activists, who were in possession of a voters roll, were asking residents if they had registered to vote before ordering those who had not to register.
On April 25 police, acting on a tip-off, arrested the gang and upon interrogations they disclosed that they were members of the MDC-T.
They also indicated that they were acting in connivance with Dzimati, it is alleged. Mr Denford Halimani is representing the 19.
Source - theherald
