Trial of 74 protesters deferred to January 31

THE trial of 74 suspected protesters who gathered at the Harare Magistrates’ Court before proceeding to the Harare Exhibition Park where they destroyed property in August last year failed to start on Monday and was postponed to January 31.

The group, led by Petros Sokole, was protesting against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission over what it alleged was its failure to institute electoral reforms.

Harare magistrate Ms Barbara Chimboza presided over the matter.

Prosecutor Mr Progress Maringamoyo alleged that on August 26 last year, Sokole and company teamed up in common purpose with other accused who are still at large and held a public gathering at an open space between the Rainbow Towers and the Interpol offices adjacent to the Harare Magistrates’ Court.

It is alleged that Sokole then conspired with his accomplices and proceeded to the Harare Agricultural Showgrounds and destroyed a pre-cast wall and stoned three new tractors at the Agricon stand.

It is further alleged that they proceeded to the central business district where they disrupted the free movement of traffic and people by barricading the road with concrete blocks, street light poles, vending tables and other objects at various points along streets such as Samora Machel Avenue, Robert Mugabe Road, Rotten Row and Nelson Mandela Avenue.

It is alleged that Sokole and his group attacked police officers with missiles, set ablaze vendors stalls at Copacabana Bus Terminus and stoned State-owned vehicles which included of a lorry, Land Rover defenders and a riot control Mitsubishi vehicle as well as private-owned vehicles.

It is further alleged that Sokole and his accomplices also snatched bags and valuables from the public, broke into shops and looted clothes and groceries.

They further destroyed a road sign inscribed Robert Mugabe Way at the corner of Rotten Row and Robert Mugabe Road.

The police reaction team swiftly arrested some of the accused in the vicinity of the crime scene.