Gushungo bombing case now in open court

The matter of four suspects accused of attempting to overthrow the Government through unconstitutional means which was previously held in camera is now being heard in an open court.

The matter was remanded in open court on three occasions by magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe.

Zimbabwe People's Front political party president Owen Kuchata (34), Borman Ngwenya (30), Silas Pfupa (37) and Solomon Makumbe (29) were yesterday back in court and were further remanded to June 23.

They are facing treason charges.

Makumbe and Pfupa's bid for freedom recently hit a snag after their application for removal from remand was dismissed by magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo.

Makumbe and Pfupa are being represented by Mrs Gamuchira Dzitiro while Ngwenya is being represented by Mr Exactly Mangezi.

Kuchata is a self actor.

The quartet allegedly established a militia training base in Mapinga, Mashonaland West province, where they planned to commit terror acts, sabotage and banditry.

On January 1, this year, they allegedly proceeded to President Mugabe's rural home in Zvimba where they carried out reconnaissance identifying suitable vulnerable points to sabotage.

It is alleged the four held several meetings at Queens Hotel in Harare mapping strategies on how they would strike.

In one of their meetings they conspired to carry out attacks using fertiliser bombs to overthrow the constitutionally elected Government of Zimbabwe.

Police received a tip-off that the four were planning to bomb Alpha Omega Dairy's processing plant and a tuckshop during the night.

Acting on the tip-off, the police proceeded to the farm and laid an ambush about 100 metres from the quartet's target.

At around 10pm, the detectives saw the men approaching the processing plant and immediately arrested them.