Madhuku and two others released on bail

By Violet Gonda
3 November 2006

The National Constitutional Assembly trio, including chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku, were released on bail Friday. They had been arrested on Wednesday during a demonstration for a new constitution.

The Mugabe regime has created laws like the draconian Public Order and Security Act (POSA) aimed at shrinking the democratic space. Lawyer Alec Muchadehama said; “Madhuku was facing allegations that he did not give notice of his intention to demonstrate to the regulating authority.” He was granted Z$10 000 bail and ordered to return to court on 22 November. The other two NCA officials, Frank Nyagumbo and Marko Shoko, were charge on allegations of public violence. The lawyer said his clients deny the charges of stoning a police vehicle. They were also ordered to appear in court on November 22.

NCA protesters took part in a protest march at Africa Unity Square on Wednesday calling for a people driven constitution. Riot police came and violently broke up the march that was going to lead to parliament. It’s reported scores of people were taken to a private hospital after they sustained injuries from the police assaults.

Muchadehama also said that the other two activists were assaulted both at the point of arrest as well as in police custody. They were allegedly beaten with baton sticks and suffered various injuries. He said; “One of them was actually saying he was now hard of hearing and he had bruises all over the body. The other also was hit on the legs and arms, as well as on the buttocks and he was complaining that he was not able to sit properly.”