Tajamuka leader further remanded

#Tajamuka/Sesijikile leader Promise Mkwananzi and his co-accused, Bruce Usviso, were yesterday further remanded to October 20 when they appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Court facing public violence charges.

Their routine remand appearance before magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro yesterday came following their release on bail by High Court judge Justice Happias Zhou after spending several weeks in remand prison as the lower courts classified them as unsuitable candidates for bail.

Meanwhile, High Court judge, Justice David Mangota yesterday ordered the release of pro-democracy activist Linda Masarira after he declared that her three-month incarceration for alleged public violence was illegal.

The ruling came after several attempts by her lawyers, Tendai Biti, Andrew Makoni and Obey Shava to have her released on bail at the magistrates' courts hit a snag. Masarira also had a warrant of arrest awaiting her for failing to appear at the Mutare Magistrates' Court on a different case.

Justice Mangota yesterday cancelled the arrest warrant and ordered her release on free bail, without any reporting conditions. Masarira had languished in remand prison since her arrest on July 6, 2016, for allegedly obstructing or endangering free movement of persons or vehicles during the massive shutdown led by cleric, Evan Mawarire.