By Paul Nyathi|Arrested MDC Alliance national youth chairperson Happymore Chidziva’s lawyer Brian Dube say they would on the next remand date challenge the charges levied against his client and make an application for refusal of remand, citing political persecution.

Chidziva is on remand having been arrested for inciting public violence after he allegedly threatened President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) with unspecified action at a campaign rally held in Mkoba Gweru ahead of the July 30 harmonised elections.

It is the State’s case that on July 22, the MDC Alliance held a rally at Mkoba stadium in Gweru which had been authorised by the police.

On the same date at around 12PM, Chidziva was given the chance to address party supporters.

The accused was using Shona and he unlawfully uttered some words saying: “Kana pakauya result isingafadzi isu vechidiki kana tati chatsva, chatsva. Mnangagwa hokoyo. Hokoyo Zec hokoyo (If the election result is not favourable to our party if we say we are taking action, we would do so. Be warned Mnangagwa. Be warned Zec),” he allegedly said.

There is a video, according to the State, showing Chidziva making the utterances.

“The accused had no right to utter such words that have an effect of influencing public disorder,” said Mr Andrew Marimo who appeared for the State.

Chidziva handed himself at Harare Central Police Station on Monday morning and was transferred to Gweru.