Three residents freed over violence at council offices

Three Masvingo residents arrested in connection with violence and damage to council property while protesting the death of a one-year-old boy have been freed.

Masvingo magistrate Tinashe Ndokera freed the trio last Friday after speeding two nights in custody due to lack of evidence linking them to the alleged crime.

Represented by Collin Maboke of Ruvengo, Maboke and Company Legal Practitioners and a member of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Tamutswa Chikonyora, Solomon Kuvheyi and Patrick Mutema argued in court they were not linked to the crimes.

The trio was accused of going to the Masvingo City Council chief administrator's office asking for the whereabouts of Masvingo mayor Hubert Fidze.

The state claimed the trio threw stones that reportedly damaged two window panes at council offices in protest at the death of the infant.

The property was allegedly damaged after some incensed residents demonstrated against the reckless execution of duty by municipal officials which resulted in the death of a one-year-old baby who was run over by a council truck chasing after vendors.

Maboke challenged the placement of the trio on remand after arguing that there was no evidence linking  them to the offence.

This prompted Ndokera to rule against placing them on remand, leading to their release with the state being told to proceed by way of summons if it intended to pursue the matter.