Lionel Saungweme | Bulawayo- Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) supporters are protesting yesterday’s award of free bail to Abednigo Bhebhe (52), Witness Dube (41) and Eliot Doctor Moyo (52) for the 4 March 2018 violence at the party offices. Bhebhe and Dube are respectively former (MDC-T) National Organising Secretary and former MDC-T Vice President Thokozani Khupe’s personal assistant.

After violence broke out, a report was immediately made to police at Bulawayo Central by Edith Moyo. She was accompanied by Sandra Moyo, Sibusisiwe Masina and Persuade Jena. Edith also acted as informant for Malusi Fuyana, who had been rushed to hospital after sustaining serious injuries. Police did not act on the incident report.

When the four were leaving the station, they met Bhebhe, Dube and Lovemore Moyo’s personal assistant, Artwell Sibanda going to lodge their own report. The trio accused MDC-T Bulawayo Provincial Chairman, Gift Banda, Mlandu Ncube, Michael Mabasa, Edith Moyo, Sibongubuhle Sibanda, Takunda Madzana, Robson Tera, Eric Gono, Donald Mabutho, Felix Mhaka, Raymond Gombedza and Kunashe Muchemwa of causing violence.

On 5 March 2018, the twelve were arrested, charged with Public Violence, Contravening Section 36 (1) of the Criminal Law [Codification and Reform] Act Cap 9.23 and detained overnight at Bulawayo Central Police station. The following day, Magistrate Franklin Mkhwananzi gave the first, third up to twelfth accused bail at US$50, while second accused Gift Banda was released after paying US$200.

Lawyers for the 12 argued in court that their clients’ report, which had been lodged prior to their complainants,’ had been ignored. Magistrate Mkhwananzi replied by ordering police to action the report. It was only thereafter that Bhebhe, Dube and Moyo were also charged with ‘Public Violence, Contravening Section 36 (1) of the Criminal Law [Codification and Reform] Act Cap 9.23. However, in contrast to bail conditions awarded to 12 pro-MDC-T President Nelson Chamisa’s supporters, Magistrate Mkhwananzi gave free bail to Khupe’s allies.

“Why the unequal treatment on a similar case? Why did the police not act on Edith Moyo’s report, which was made before Bhebhe, Dube and Sibanda lodged theirs? Why is it that the twelve are asked to pay while Khupe’s allies get their freedom scot-free?” asked Mascillyn Chihelele, a pro-Chamisa supporter from Chitungwiza.

Chihelele has vowed, “I will ask Hon Chamisa to instruct lawyers for the twelve accused persons to make a court application for review of the bail conditions. Why should accused persons be treated unequally? All of us are equal before the law,” thundered Chihelele.