Ex-Zanu-PF youth chair remanded in custody

Former Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central youth chairperson Godfrey Tsenengamu yesterday appeared in court facing allegations of subverting a constitutionally-elected Government or alternatively undermining the authority of the President.

He was remanded in custody to March 9.

Tsenengamu also stands accused of contravening the Public Order and Security Act by holding a Press conference without notifying the regulating authority.

He appeared before Ms Vicky Mashamba and unsuccessfully challenged his placement on remand on the charge of subverting the Government.

Through his lawyer, Mr Zivanai Macharaga, Tsenengamu made the application on the basis that the Prosecutor-General did not authorise his prosecution as required by the law.

Ms Mashamba dismissed the request for lack of merit.

She ruled that there was no need to set aside the court proceedings, saying the State could always seek the PG's permission to prosecute during trial.

But she said the court could not proceed to trial without the authority.

It is the State's case that on February 20, Tsenengamu convened a public meeting at Media Centre Zimbabwe without notifying the responsible authorities.

The court heard, he went on to publicly and unlawfully make statements urging war veterans across the country to push President Mugabe out of office through unconstitutional means.

He was quoted as saying: "It is time we go open about the succession thing because some of us have since identified our candidate and it's none other than Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. If (President) Mugabe does not like him that is up to him, but we are saying we now want him to lead now.

"To . . . Mnangagwa, Chikara, I am sorry you may say we have exposed you, but that is the game now Shumba. We want you to take over from Gushungo and make sure you take care of his family.

"So we are going to hit the campaign trail for you as our presidential candidate next year."