Promise Mkwananzi granted bail

The spokesperson of Tajamuka, a shadowy pressure group, and former MDC-T youth leader, Promise Mkwananzi, yesterday appeared in court in Harare for allegedly stoning Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko's Choppies supermarket together with 20 others.

Magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe granted Mkwananzi (35) $300 bail. As part of his bail conditions, he was ordered to report on Fridays at CID Law and Order, to reside at his given address and not to interfere with investigations.

The investigating officer, George Garauzive, had opposed bail for Mkwananzi saying the Tajamuka group engaged in violent demonstrations. "Accused is likely to influence crime of the same nature if released on bail. About 20 of his accomplices are still at large and his previous convictions are not yet ascertained."

His lawyer, Mr Trust Manda, insisted that Mkwananzi was a proper candidate for bail. Mr Mahwe ruled that bail was a constitutional right which can only be denied if there were compelling reasons.

Prosecuting, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on June 16 this year around 9.30am, Mkwananzi and his accomplices moved around the central business district where they approached members of the public standing in queues at various banks.

It is alleged that Mkwananzi and his accomplices told the people in the queues that there was no money in banks because VP Mphoko was a thief.

They alleged that the Vice President was stealing cash from banks to sustain his Choppies supermarkets and to pay hotel bills at Rainbow Towers in Harare.

The court heard that at around 11am Mkwananzi and his accomplices went to Choppies supermarket at No. 28 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Harare. Clad in black and white T-shirts inscribed Tajamuka, the group started singing disparaging songs and shouted that, "Chishopu ichi ngachivharwe (this shop must be closed)".

They allegedly stood at the entrance of the shop and started throwing stones and avocados into the supermarket. Property worth $1,000 was damaged.