Nine members of the Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) who are facing public violence charges were on Friday further remanded in custody to April 28.
The nine, who have been languishing at Khami Remand Prison for more than a month, briefly appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Tawengwa Sengester.
Their lawyer Nqobani Sithole from Abammeli Lawyers for human rights said he expected the trial to start at their net court appearance.
“If all things are equal the trial should start on the next remand date that is April 28. We have applied for bail at the High Court and we are still waiting for a set down a date for the bail application hearing,” he said in an interview.
Sithole said if the bail application sailed through, the nine would be tried coming from home.
“If all things being equal ,they might be on bail pending trial before the trial kicks off on April 28,” said the lawyer.
In denying the nine accused bail, the Magistrate had ruled that the state has a strong case against them.
The nine were arrested for public violence after they stormed Bulawayo Central Police Station almost a month ago protesting over the alleged harassment of their party leader Mqondisi Moyo by state security agents.
They claim 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.
