Fourteen MDC Alliance activists appeared before the High Court two groups facing public violence charges after they allegedly stormed Harvest House, destroying windows and cutting padlocks with bolt cutters last week.
The accused are Victor Machavhaira (37), Shame Chidzonga (34), Mafaiti Mubaiwa (32), Angirai Mowotidhi (42), Forward Sezali (40), Paul Gorekore (37), Peter Shonhiwa (35), Godfrey Katsaya (24), Lloyd Zhou (36), Richard Dube (21), Onisimo Chaitezvi (30), Sign Chanachimweza (29) and Washington Dzungwa (37).
The court heard that the accused teamed up within the Harare Central Business District (CBD) on October 29 at around 10 am, walked towards Harvest House and while on the way, they allegedly disturbed the peace and order in the CBD.
The state further alleges that the accused also assaulted members of the public before destroying Harvest House’s front window panes using stones before cutting the key locks on the screen gate using bolt cutters.
The police arrested Machavhaira, Chidzonga, Mubaiwa, Mowotidhi and Sezali while others escaped.
It is also alleged that on the same day at around 11 pm, Gorekore, Shonhiwa, Katsaya, Zhou, Dube, Chaitezvi, Chanachimweza, Dzungwa returned to Harvest house leading to their arrest.
They were all released on ZWL$1 500 bail each after their lawyer Mr Moses Mavhaire successfully applied for bail.
As part of their bail condition, the accused were ordered to report once a week to the police and not to interfere with witnesses.
This comes as MDC factions – MDC-T and MDC Alliance, in that order, led by Thokozani Khupe and Nelson Chamisa have been fighting for control over the Harvest House christened Morgan Tsvangirai House.
More: The Herald