Nine Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) members were Friday, denied bail by a Bulawayo magistrate who said the accused were likely to abscond trial.
In his bail ruling, Magistrate Tawengwa Sengester said the state has a strong case against the nine MRP members who could possibly run away if they were granted bail.
The magistrate then gave the defence counsel an option of applying for bail at the High Court and further remanded the nine in custody to March 31, 2021.
One of the defence lawyers Prince Butshe Dube of Abammeli said the court denied all the suspects bail on the basis that they were arrested at the scene while committing the alleged crime.
“The court denied all the suspects bail on the basis they were likely to abscond. The court further relied on factual findings it made on the face of the state’s case that it was very strong and this would motivate the accused to abscond and not stand their trial,” he said.
The nine were arrested for public violence after they stormed Bulawayo Central Police Station last week protesting over the alleged harassment of their party leader Mqondisi Moyo by state security agents.
It is alleged, uniformed police, military and officers in civilian clothes raided Moyo’s house during the night intending to arrest him.
The nine include two women, MRP National League Chairperson, Sibongile Banda and Busi Moyo.
Other members are Council of Elders representative Tinos Nkomo, MRP Youth Chairperson, Mongameli Mlotshwa, Livson Ncube, Maxwell Nkosi, Welcome Moyo, Nkosilathi Ncube and Ackim Ndebele.
