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Midlands Correspondent
THIRTEEN members of a new political party, Transform Zimbabwe, were yesterday hauled before Gweru courts for allegedly staging a demonstration protesting against the arrest of their president, Jacob Chengedzeni. Nyashadzashe Ngarivhume, Sungai Mazando, Fay Mazorodze, Purity Gora, Nicholas Magaya, Tangai Takaruza, Cleopus Muridzo, Mike Mureyani, Derek Marijeki, Soul Chengedzeni, Victor Mazhindu, Upward Mutendereki and Trust Gweme appeared before Gweru Provincial magistrate, Pathekhile Msipa facing a charge of contravening section 37 (1)(a)(1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:23.

They were remanded out of custody to 5 September on $50 bail.
For the state, Andrew Marimo alleged that on 12 July this year, Chengedzeni, was arrested for failing to notify the regulating authority that he was holding a political meeting in terms of the Public Order and Security Act (Posa). He held it at Vashandiri Study Centre in Mkoba Village 12 in Gweru.

Marimo further alleged that on 14 July, when Chengedzeni was being taken to Gweru magistrate’s court, the 13 accused teamed up and staged a demonstration in protest against the arrest of their party president. It is alleged they moved along Lobengula Street holding placards and went to Gweru Central Police station.

Chengedzeni was arrested by police last month over allegations of holding an unsanctioned meeting in Gweru at Vashandiri Vocational Training Centre in Mkoba Village 12 high density suburb where the party was holding its national elective congress.

He is also facing the same charges of violating Section 26 of Posa for organising a public gathering without notifying the police after holding an unsanctioned meeting in Hatfield in Harare.

Chengedzeni who was supposed to appear before the Gweru magistrate’s courts was freed after the state led by area prosecutor, Brian Mzemba stated that the case would proceed by way of summons as police investigations were incomplete.

His freedom was, however, short-lived after a warrant of arrest was issued by Hatfield police for a similar charge that he allegedly committed in Harare.

He was then detained at Gweru Central Police holding cells resulting in the 13 accused staging a protest pushing for his release.