News / Regional
Zanu-PF activist denied bail
27 Mar 2013 at 08:05hrs | Views
Zanu-PF activist Blessing Chikwira, arrested after he allegedly attempted to attack MDC-T secretary-general Tendai Biti with a homemade knife during a rally at Mbizo 4 shopping centre recently, has been denied bail.
His co-accused Libson Jaure was, however, granted $50 bail after Provincial Magistrate Taurai Manwere ruled that he was a suitable candidate and was not likely to abscond trial set for April 8.
Chikwira and Jaure are accused of gatecrushing an MDC-T rally on March 13 and, according to State papers, attempting to attack Biti with a homemade 10cm-long knife.
Manwere denied Chikwira bail saying he had the propensity to commit crimes of a violent nature, therefore, releasing him on bail would defeat the ends of justice.
"Chikwira committed this offence while out on bail pending appeal in a case where violence was an element, therefore, the State's fear that he could commit more offences if released on bail is not far-fetched," Manwere said.
The Zanu-PF activist is no stranger to the courts. He has four previous convictions and two cases of robbery that are still pending before the same courts hanging over his head.
The State led by Salome Maunganidze said it would be ready to proceed with trial on April 8.
His co-accused Libson Jaure was, however, granted $50 bail after Provincial Magistrate Taurai Manwere ruled that he was a suitable candidate and was not likely to abscond trial set for April 8.
Chikwira and Jaure are accused of gatecrushing an MDC-T rally on March 13 and, according to State papers, attempting to attack Biti with a homemade 10cm-long knife.
"Chikwira committed this offence while out on bail pending appeal in a case where violence was an element, therefore, the State's fear that he could commit more offences if released on bail is not far-fetched," Manwere said.
The Zanu-PF activist is no stranger to the courts. He has four previous convictions and two cases of robbery that are still pending before the same courts hanging over his head.
The State led by Salome Maunganidze said it would be ready to proceed with trial on April 8.
Source - newsday
