-as arresting cop ‘claims’ stomach bout
COURT REPORTER
MASVINGO CITY-Senior lawyer and former City of Masvingo Mayor, Collen Maboke has challenged the placement of a reporter, Calvin Muvheyi (26) for allegedly inciting violence after he posted a message that he had been summoned by police from the Law and Order Section.
Muvheyi who arrived in the country three days ago from South Africa to marry his sweetheart appeared before Magistrate Nomagugu Sibanda after being charged under Criminal and Codification Reform Act Section 187 (1) paragraph 36 without a specific offence.
Godfrey Mugondwa stood in for the state during the trial which was briefly held on Saturday (10-8-24).
Muvheyi is said to be a member of the August 16 Masvingo WhatsApp group where he posted a message that he had been invited by the police for questioning while he was at the Masvingo Magistrates Court attending to a case of public interest.
Muvheyi was taken for questioning and according to his lawyer he was supposed to be released on the same day but it is alleged a senior cop instructed the arresting officer to take the young reporter to court since there have not been any arrests in Masvingo in connection with the forthcoming SADC summit.
Journalists who went to the police station in solidarity with the colleague on Friday left after being told that Muvheyi would be released after some a few minutes of questioning, unfortunately tables turned soon after following instructions from the senior cop.
The state is alleging that the group that Muvheyi posted his message had some people like one Kelvin Tinarwo who had earlier on posted that the public should brace up for protests especially in the rural areas during the SADC summit.
Maboke argued that, belonging to a group is not an offence and more so the accused does not belong to the said group, only that his message was shared in the August 16 group.
It is alleged that someone in the group responded by saying ‘aluta continua’.
Maboke further argued that even if Muvheyi was in the group, that in itself does not constitute an offence as the Constitution guarantees freedom of association and expression.
“Posting a message that one has been invited by the police for questioning does not constitute an offense or inciting violence in any way so, my client is innocent,” said Maboke.
Meanwhile, those who were at the court were treated to free drama as the arresting officer tried to bolt out of the court building when his name was called out to give evidence.
Some police officers could be heard telling him to run away as his appearance would jeopadise their plan for the accused to remain in detention until the SADC summit ends.
Unfortunately his luck ran out as some lawyers heard the conversation and called him back only for him to tell the Magistrate that he was having a serious stomach bout and could not stand in the witness box.
The Magistrate ruled that the bail application will only be heard on Heroes Day.
