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Villagers dragged to court for resisting eviction
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Thirty-five villagers from Warwick Farm in Zvimba were denied bail on Monday when they appeared before Harare Magistrate Apollonia Marutya, facing charges of inciting public violence in relation to a land dispute.
The accused, who are being represented by lawyer John Ndomene, were remanded in custody until today for a bail application hearing. During the proceedings, Ndomene argued that the investigating officer, Yvonne Karinda, was being influenced by the complainants, who allegedly had a vested interest in the case. He also contended that a purported High Court order seeking their eviction had not been presented to the court.
The defense further argued that many of the accused were not present at the crime scene, with some of them reportedly selling fish while others were returning from church at the time of the alleged incident.
However, Karinda testified that the accused were facing a serious offense, which, if proven, would attract imprisonment. She further argued that the accused were likely to commit further acts of public violence if released on bail.
Karinda also noted that all the accused had previously been served with eviction notices. Additionally, she revealed that some of the accused were involved in another case of malicious damage to property, currently pending at the Mbare Magistrates Court.
The charges stem from an incident where the accused, along with accomplices still at large, allegedly gathered at Warwick Shire Farm to protest against the subdivision of the farm for residential stands and the development of the land. According to the prosecution, the group engaged in acts of public violence, destroying properties and setting several houses on fire within the farm.
State prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu outlined the events, stating that the accused went to the Southlands Land Developers' site offices, where they destroyed a security fence, set two wooden cabins on fire, and caused damage to building materials and diesel fuel. The group then proceeded to the Loomlight Land Developers' site offices, where they demolished a three-roomed house, removed its roof, and destroyed a 5,000-litre water tank, borehole, and construction equipment.
Court documents also revealed that the accused set several fowl runs on fire before fleeing the scene.
The case has drawn significant attention, and the accused are expected to return to court for a bail application hearing today.
The accused, who are being represented by lawyer John Ndomene, were remanded in custody until today for a bail application hearing. During the proceedings, Ndomene argued that the investigating officer, Yvonne Karinda, was being influenced by the complainants, who allegedly had a vested interest in the case. He also contended that a purported High Court order seeking their eviction had not been presented to the court.
The defense further argued that many of the accused were not present at the crime scene, with some of them reportedly selling fish while others were returning from church at the time of the alleged incident.
However, Karinda testified that the accused were facing a serious offense, which, if proven, would attract imprisonment. She further argued that the accused were likely to commit further acts of public violence if released on bail.
Karinda also noted that all the accused had previously been served with eviction notices. Additionally, she revealed that some of the accused were involved in another case of malicious damage to property, currently pending at the Mbare Magistrates Court.
The charges stem from an incident where the accused, along with accomplices still at large, allegedly gathered at Warwick Shire Farm to protest against the subdivision of the farm for residential stands and the development of the land. According to the prosecution, the group engaged in acts of public violence, destroying properties and setting several houses on fire within the farm.
State prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu outlined the events, stating that the accused went to the Southlands Land Developers' site offices, where they destroyed a security fence, set two wooden cabins on fire, and caused damage to building materials and diesel fuel. The group then proceeded to the Loomlight Land Developers' site offices, where they demolished a three-roomed house, removed its roof, and destroyed a 5,000-litre water tank, borehole, and construction equipment.
Court documents also revealed that the accused set several fowl runs on fire before fleeing the scene.
The case has drawn significant attention, and the accused are expected to return to court for a bail application hearing today.
Source - newsday
