5 MDC-T activists arrested in free inputs fracas

Five MDC-T activists were arrested last Friday and charged with public violence after they allegedly stormed a government free seed distribution programme in Samarenga Village, Honde Valley in Mutasa Central constituency, demanding their share of the farming inputs.

Tempers flared when a self-confessed war veteran, Peter Mukangaise, allegedly declared that MDC-T members were not entitled to the seeds and fertilisers sourced under the Presidential Inputs Scheme.

This reportedly led to violent clashes with the MDC-T activists who insisted that they were entitled to the free farming inputs.

Police at Hauna Growth Point later intervened and arrested five MDC-T activists Ward 10 councillor Frank Chitembwe, Rosemary Mukodza, Nyarai Matambo, Job Kusano and Tendai Charachimwe.

Chitembwe and Matambo were released on Saturday after paying $10 admission of guilt fines each, while Charachimwe and Kusano were released without charge following the intervention of ZimRights lawyer Passmore Nyakureba.

But Mukodza refused to pay the fine and is expected to be tried at the Mutare Magistrates Courts on February 23 on a theft charge after she allegedly grabbed a bag of fertiliser.