Gweru (New Ziana) – Eight opposition activists arrested for staging illegal protests on March 31 have been denied bail and remanded in custody to April 8 this year for routine remand hearing.

Opposition councilors Phillion Mawere (51) of Gweru City Council Ward 16 and Parerenyatwa Nyika (44) from Vungu Rural District Council Ward 5 allegedly led the protestors.

The six other protestors from the Mkoba North constituency include Victor Changa (43), Movern Vurayayi (27), Wellington Chirozva (35), Jamson Mugwisi (58), Sue Kombora (31) and Mitchell Nyathi.

One of the women has a three-month-old baby with her in custody.

The group appeared before Gweru Provincial Magistrate Beaulity Dube charged with participating in the demonstration that was called for by war veteran Blessed Geza through social media.

Geza, a former Zanu-PF central committee member, is on the run after the police indicated that they wanted to arrest him for inciting public violence and undermining the authority of the President.

In her ruling, Dube said the eight were not proper candidates for bail, as the convener of the flopped demonstrations (Geza) remains at large and it is uncertain whether he will call for another protest.

According to the State, the group allegedly planned and mobilised Mkoba residents to hold an illegal demonstration, waving placards with various messages denouncing the government.

The state asserts that Mawere and Nyika both of CCC party, being senior party officials, used their influence to gather together residents for the protest.

Five of the protestors were arrested at the scene while the other three were arrested at their homes on the same day.

The group had recorded videos and taken photographs during the demonstration, which were later recovered from their cellphones. lawyers Esau Mandipa and Leopold Mudisi represented the eight.

New Ziana