An MDC Alliance activist, John Rangano Mupanduki who was allegedly abducted in Bikita barely a week ago has been charged with communicating statements prejudicial to the State. Pindula News presents his cautioned statement:
CID LAW AND ORDER DR 06/01/22 BIKITA CR: 25/01/22 EXHIBIT “
WARNED AND CAUTIONED STATEMENT
I, JOHN RANGANO MUPANDUKI, NR 04-173469-D-04, Aged: 29 years, of house number 3455 DUMA Location, Nyika, Bikita Masvingo having been informed by Detective Sergeant Shumba of Criminal Investigation Department Law and Order, Masvingo that inquiries are being made in connection with a case of Contravening section 31(b) (i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 “Publishing or Communicating false statements prejudicial to the state” which occurred at house number 3455 Duma Location, Nyika Bikita, Masvingo in which it is alleged that on 7th day of January 2022 at around 0320 hours to 8th day of January 2022 at around 2200 hours I was kidnapped by unknown five male adults make this statement of my own free will.
While I have been informed that I am not obliged to say anything in answer to these allegations, my failure at this stage to mention any facts relevant to my defense to them may result in a court drawing inferences against me. Whatever I will say in answer will be put into writing and may be used in evidence in court. You are also advised that you are entitled to the following rights:-
• To appear before a court within 48 hours unless further detention has been authorized by a competent court.
• Not to be forced to make a confession.
• The reason for detention.
• To approach the High Court for an order of Habeas Corpus i.e. an order requiring you to be released, or to be brought before the court for the lawfulness of the detention to be justified.
• To be considered innocent until proven guilty.
• To be informed promptly of the charge in sufficient detail to enable you to answer it.
Have you understood the caution? ………………………………………………………….Yes
Wanzwisisa yambiro yemhosva here ………………………………………………………..hongu
Do you wish to say anything in answer to these allegations’ ………………Yes
Pane zvaunoda kutaura here ……………………………………………………………………….hongu?
ACCUSED’S REPLY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE. I deny the allegations Revelled against me.
Signed
JOHN RANGANO MUPANDUKI
Meanwhile, MDC Alliance has described the development as “yet another case where the regime abducts citizens then prefers criminal charges against them. The perpetrators walk free.”
The state has in the past denied allegations that state security agents were behind the kidnappings.