Four MDC activists denied bail again

By Tichaona Sibanda
24 April 2007

Four MDC activists facing charges of allegedly petrol-bombing several targets in the country have been denied bail by a Harare magistrate. Bertha Chikururama, Friday Mleya, Raymond Baki and Washaya have been in police custody for the last four weeks.

MDC MP for Budiriro, Emmanuel Chisvuure, said the four were denied bail when they appeared before a Harare magistrate on Monday. At least 24 activists are still in remand prison facing various charges of alleged state terrorism. All the activists deny the charges.

Chisvuure told Newsreel that eight other activists are now known to be held at Harare central police station. These include three senior members of the party who were abducted from their homes on Friday night as the orgy of violence against opposition figures entered it’s sixth week on Monday. This brings to 32 the number of MDC officials and activists being held by the police.

Those abducted by suspected state operatives were the deputy national organising secretary Morgan Komichi, the director of elections Dennis Murira and his wife, plus organising secretary for Glen Norah Elliot Motsi and his three sons.

Chisvuure said the group, which has yet to face any charges, is likely to go to court in the next two days. The other group, which includes Glen View MP Paul Madzore, his young brother Solomon and MDC Presidential aide Ian Makone is expected in court on Thursday.

Defence lawyers for the officials and activists have made an urgent application to the Supreme court, seeking to have all of the detained released from custody.