Public violence earns man 18-month jail term

AN MDC-Alliance supporter based in Chitungwiza, Richard Mutiti, will spend an effective 10 months in prison after he was convicted of inciting protesters who went on a rampage and destroyed Makoni Police Station during last month’s violent protests.

Chitungwiza resident magistrate Mr Nyasha Vitorini initially sentenced him to 18 months in prison before suspending eight months on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

Mutiti was convicted after the State submitted a video in which he was among people who were captured while being addressed by an unidentified MDC-Alliance member who was influencing the mob to join the protests while chanting their party’s slogan.

His co-accused and former Chitungwiza Deputy Mayor Jabulani Mtunzi was acquitted last week after the State failed to prove its case against him.

Prosecutor Mr Tatenda Mukatera told the court that on January 14 at between 10.30am and 11am, Mtunzi, Mutiti and others who are still at large gathered at Unit C junction during the violent protests.

Mtunzi was alleged to have incited other people who were gathered at the junction to burn down Makoni Police Station.

The pair was seen by Tawanda Hongoro, who was passing by and he reported the matter to the police, leading to their arrest.