Two Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) members arrested for allegedly disturbing public peace when they attempted to hand in a petition to the Bulawayo High Court, Monday, have been granted ZWL$10 000 bail each.
The two, Goiste Sindisiwe Moyo (35) who had a toddler strapped on her back and Lwazi Khanye (30), the party’s national youth treasurer were arrested around 10 am on Monday and charged with allegedly inciting public violence or displaying disorderly conduct in a public place.
Moyo and Khanye were part of a group who wanted to submit a petition to the Bulawayo High Court, protesting the transfer of nine other MRP members to Chikurubi and Gwanda prisons.
Their petition was addressed to ZPCS Commissioner General – Moses Chikobvu, Zimbabwean President – Emmerson Mnangagwa, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs – Ziyambi Ziyambi, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General – Godwin Matanga and Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Judith Ncube.
Before they could submit the petition, police swooped in on Moyo and Khanye, arresting them while the other MRP members fled.
Read: https://cite.org.zw/mrp-members-arrested-in-attempt-to-hand-over-petition-at-byo-high-court/
The two appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate, Busani Sibanda at the Tredgold Magistrates Court Tuesday charged for contravening Section 37 (1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:12, which is participating in gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry.
Their alternate charge is contravening Section 41(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:12, known as disorderly conduct in public place
The state alleged that on September 5, 2022 at the Bulawayo High Court, Moyo and Khanye unlawfully and intentionally approached the Bulawayo High Court singing in vernacular, “ilizwe ngelabadala bethu, kumele abafana baphume ejele” translated to mean this ‘country (Zimbabwe) is for our forefathers, may the detained or accused be released from prison.’
The state says the two “knowingly or realising that an offence or participating in public gatherings may result from their conduct.”
Moyo and Khanye were represented by Nqobani Sithole of Ncube Attorneys while Hazel Ncube prosecuted for the State.
In granting them bail, the magistrate said they were to reside at their given addresses and not interfere with witnesses.
Moyo is to report at Pumula Police Station every Friday, while Khanye will report at Luveve Police station.
The two MRP members will appear in court on October 6, 2022.
