HARARE – Seven human rights activists charged over an alleged plot to topple President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government have asked prosecutors to furnish them with the findings of a court-ordered investigation into their allegations that they were physically abused by police.
George Makoni, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Gamuchirai Mukura from Nyasha Mpahlo, Farirayi Gumbonzvanda Sithabile and Beauty Rita Nyampinga were all remanded in custody to June 20 when they appeared before Harare magistrate Babra Mateko on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Justice Tawanda Chitapi will rule on their bail application on Friday.
Lawyer Jeremiah Bamu said the defence needed a copy of the findings of an investigation ordered by a magistrate after some of the seven complained that they had been physically abused by the police; had been denied access to their lawyers and had not been informed of the charges they faced when they were arrested.
“The State undertook to furnish us with a report of investigation into the conduct of the police. The report will enable us to map our way forward as the case proceeds,” said Bamu.
Prosecutor Charles Muchemwa promised to provide the report on June 20, the next remand date.
The seven were arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare while returning from a trip to the Maldives. Prosecutors charged them with subversion, accusing them of receiving training on how to operate small arms and how to evade arrest during civil unrest. It is also alleged they were taught on counter-intelligence and how to carry out acts of terrorism during planned protests against Mnangagwa’s regime.
