Itai Muzondo in Gweru
GWERU – Gweru provincial magistrate Pathekile Msipa last week acquitted eight MDC-T youths accused of staging an illegal demonstration against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) demanding a level political playing field ahead of the much anticipated 2018 poll.
The State had alleged that on July 22 2017, the MDC-T activists marched through the city centre chanting political slogans and denouncing ZEC chairperson, Justice Rita Makarau and the ruling Zanu PF party thereby disturbing public peace.
The youths who were being represented by Lizwe Jamela and Claudius Makwara, contested the grounds of their arrest arguing that police had been notified of the demonstration.
The eight had been out on US$100 bail each.
In dismissing the case, Msipa said there was no evidence to show that the accused had intended to promote violence through their actions adding that no complaints had been cited in the charge sheet.
MDC-T information and publicity officer Munyaradzi Mutandavari said the youth league and party at large welcome the judgment.
“We are happy they were released. It shows the courts have respect for the rule of law and the youth league and party are happy about it,” Mutandavari said.local
