Mupositori denied bail

HARARE - The number of Vapositori arrested for beating up police officers and journalists last week, is now 28 after one of them was yesterday denied bail.

Just like the rest of the Vapositori, who are charged with causing public violence, Ndumiso Moyo, 37, from the Ishamea Mufani-led Johanne Masowe Church, was yesterday denied bail by Harare Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe and remanded in custody to June 16.

Prosecutor, Gift Zumbika yesterday opposed Moyo's bail application and the magistrate concurred.

Chikwekwe treated Moyo in the same manner as his 27 accomplices who are already in remand prison awaiting trial.

Chikwekwe ruled on Tuesday that releasing the Vapositori  would "jeopardise the course of justice, trigger public chaos and endanger their own safety."

Allegations against Moyo and his accomplices arose on May 30 at Budiriro 2 Park, Johanne Masowe Echishanu Madzibaba Ishamea's shrine.

Apostolic Church Council of Zimbabwe president Johannes Ndanga, and a 26-member delegation that also included police and journalists, went to the church's revered shrine to address the congregation over issues of women and child abuse.

Part of the congregants challenged Ndanga to read his speech in Shona claiming they could not understand English.

Ndanga then ordered police to arrest one of the congregants who kept interjecting as he read his speech, which was banning the church.

Other congregants then began singing an allegedly "violence-inciting song" called Umambo hwepfumo neropa before all male congregants armed with sticks of about a metre long each started charging at Ndanga.

Moyo and his accomplices started throwing stones and assaulting police officers.

ZBC journalists, Relax Marufu and Tichaona Meza and an ACCZ delegate Langton Muchena all sustained serious injuries in the brutal attack.

Moyo is jointly charged with Emmanuel Sigauke, 37, Laston Marandure,  23, John Murahwa, 36, Taurayi Supiya, 36, Shadreck Mashonganyika, 25, Robert Paradzayi, 35, Tafa Chakwara, 36, Kudzanai Tichaona Kusekwa, 31, Cabson Chandaona, 43, Alton Makando, 31, Ashton Chinhoyi, 31, Abisha Mutandwa, 30, Brian Machingura, 18, Nathan Muparadzi, 39, Takavengwa Gwenzi, 46, Tichafa Madyegure, 41, Munaro Singadi, 42, for public violence.

Others also facing the same charge are Ziwanayi Nyatikonde, 30, Johannes Makumbe, 39, Paul Mupikata, 32, Simango Mharadza, 45, Tachiva Munemo, 37, Regis Bute, 31, and Clephas Muwona are charged together with Milton Murinda, 38, Dennis Banda,16, and John Mutasa,40.