The State failed to avail a trial date in ARTUZ president, Obert Masaraure’s case, today. The legal team representing Masaraure made an application for refusal of further remand but the Magistrate threw it out. The magistrate ruled that there is no inordinate delay since Masaraure was only remanded on January 19 2019. The State had argued that the docket was now ready and was being perused by the National Prosecution Authority. Masaraure was remanded out of custody to 29 May 2019. Kadzere stood as defence council.

Masaraure is facing a charge of subverting a constitutionally elected government or alternatively inciting public violence. The charge stems from the protests against fuel price hikes staged from 14-16 January this year. Masaraure was abducted by members of the Military intelligence from his home on 18 January 2019, he was tortured and latter dumped at Harare police station. He spend 16 days at Chikurubi Maximum prison and was released on stringent bail conditions.