Warrant of arrest for Youth Alliance president

PRESIDENT of the Zimbabwe Youth Alliance Kumbirai Learnmore Magorimbo, who is believed to be one of the ring leaders of the of the MDC-T Alliance-instigated violence that rocked the country in January, was on Thursday issued with a warrant of arrest for absconding court.

In a story that we published yesterday, we erroneously stated that Obert Masaraure (34) was issued with a warrant of arrest, but it has come to The Herald’s attention that Masaraure was in attendance and Magorimbo was the one who was issued with a warrant of arrest for not coming to court.

Magorimbo (23), who is on $500 bail, is facing charges of subverting a constitutional elected Government and public violence when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.

It is alleged that sometime in January, Magorimbo posted on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp social media platforms, messages inciting the general populace of Zimbabwe to stay away from work and engage in acts of public violence across the country between January 14 and 16.

The State alleged that in the messages, Magorimbo encouraged citizens to join hands with various trade unions and pressure groups to resort to strikes and demonstrations in order to shut down Zimbabwe in response to fuel hikes and high cost of living being currently experienced.

The State further alleged that in response to the massages, members of the opposition, various trade unionists, pressure groups, youth forums and the general public committed acts of public violence and hooliganism countrywide.

As a result, lives were lost, several properties were burnt, while shops were also looted by the demonstrators.

The court heard that Magorimbo was arrested on January 16 along Leopold Takawira Street in Harare, where he wanted to hold a Press conference to thank the demonstrators.