Chiadzwa villagers released on free bail
ELEVEN Chiadzwa villagers in Manicaland province have been granted free bail in a case they are accused of obstructing the course of justice.
They were arrested on January 15 for allegedly causing the escape of 32 people who had been detained for illegal diamond panning.
The 11 villagers were represented by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (Zlhr) when they appeared before Mutare magistrate Richard Ramaboea.
Allegations are that the 11 villagers teamed up and challenged members of the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) comprising of Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and ZNA members who were executing an operation to secure diamond fields.
In a statement explaining what transpired, Zlhr said: “Chiadzwa villagers continue encountering horrific experiences with law enforcement agents and recently, we rescued 11 people by ending their over-detention after they were severely assaulted upon arrest by a joint crack team of police members and soldiers.
“They were arrested by ZRP officers and ZNA members stationed at Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company on Sunday 15 January at Nyazika Bottle Store. They were charged with defeating or obstructing the course of justice as defined in section 184(1) (b) of the Criminal Code for allegedly causing the escape of 32 people, who were accused of being illegal diamond panners and who had been arrested in a liquor retail shop. The Chiadzwa villagers appeared before Mutare magistrate Richard Ramaboea on Wednesday 18 January after spending time in detention first at Diamond Police Base and later on at Bambazonke Police Station, where they spent two nights. During their initial remand appearance, prosecutors told Ramaboea that the 11 villagers teamed up and challenged members of the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) comprising of ZRP officers who were executing an operation to secure diamond fields.“
The lawyers complained before Ramaboea that their clients were heavily assaulted upon arrest by the police.
“ZRP caused extensive damage to doors of the liquor shop and also smashed some vehicle windscreens. The villagers, Tavagadza and Kabaya were also over-detained beyond 48 hours before being brought to court for their initial remand proceedings and were denied access to medical facilities for treatment of injuries sustained from the assault by law enforcement agents,” read the statement.
The accused are Daniel Nyazika, Midia Nyazika, Tinashe Nyazika, Mike Nyazika, Gift Nyazika, Crispen Mashande, Neyemai Chibuwe, Manuel Zvirimumoyo, Darlington Mwarumba, Albert Mudzimwa and Michel Chidzungu of Chingome village under Chief Marange in Manicaland.
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