In a significant development, the State released 13 Zanu PF supporters from remand yesterday. These individuals were implicated in the tragic killing of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Tinashe Chitsunge. The decision followed an application from the defense to cease further remand proceedings. The hearing unfolded before Harare magistrate Simon Kandiyero.
Among the individuals involved in the case were Cleopas Ndlovu (27), Ruzivo Mapuranga (39), Pauline Chikomo (37), Brian Mutanga (38), Berrington Mutanga (36), Emma Murana (40), Tawanda Muchatisi (29), Tapiwa Kaseke (32), Nyakabau Munashe (18), Tinashe Mabheki (35), Fadzai Madzinga (47), Forget Kanyuru (29), and Phenius Kamwendo (28).
Represented by their lawyer, Steven Chikotora, the accused argued that the State had failed to produce any witnesses since the case’s inception. They contended that the State could summon them when it was ready to proceed with the trial.
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The charges against them stemmed from an incident of public violence resulting in the tragic death of Chitsunge. Court documents revealed that on August 3, 2023, the accused were playing soccer at Chimunhu Grounds in the Glen View high-density suburb, despite knowing that the CCC had reserved the venue for a rally.
When the police attempted to disperse them, the accused retaliated by throwing stones at the law enforcement officers. The situation intensified when CCC members arrived for their scheduled rally, leading to a violent clash between the two groups, with stones being hurled from both sides.
Tragically, amidst the chaos, Chitsunge succumbed to injuries sustained from being struck by stones.
