The ManicaPost
Weekender Correspondent
FIVE rank marshals who are facing public violence charges for wreaking havoc at Sakubva Musika have been barred from visiting all bus termini pending their trial by a Mutare magistrate.
Mr Poterai Gwezhira granted Lameck Namicinde(44), Tangai Jaravani(36), Farikai Tuso(40), David Sithole(27) and the team’s supposed ring leader, Taurai Gumede(30) $100 bail each with strict conditions.
As part of their bail conditions, the suspects were also told not to visit the ranks and ordered them to continue residing at their given addresses. Through their lawyer, Mr Ashel Mutungura of Mutungura and Partners, the five pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case goes for trial on September 22.
Mr Gwezhira said the five were not to be found 100metres or less from the ranks pending trial as they might interfere with witnesses.
Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted.
Allegations were that on August 29, the five accused persons and 29 others (who are still at large) proceeded to Dangamvura Rank at Sakubva Musika where they grabbed Dickson Chitsinga who is a rank marshal.
“They grabbed his dreadlocks and assaulted him and his colleagues with empty bottles, wooden chairs, hammers and stabbed them with knives.
“Chitsinga’s unidentified colleagues managed to escape, but he failed,” said Karombe.
He sustained deep cuts on the forehead, on the top of the right eye, on the right hand elbow and on the back.
It was alleged that the violence created commotion and mayhem at Dangamvura Rank bringing traffic along the Mutare-Chimanimani Highway to a standstill.
Vendors who were carrying out their business had to scurry for cover.
It was also alleged that on August 31, the gang proceeded to Chipinge Rank in Sakubva and attacked Martin Chitsinga.
Karombe said: “Chitsinga was struck with sticks, stones, sjamboks, axes and knives all over his body.
“In the process, the gang allegedly stole $270 cash and a Samsung cellphone worth $800. Total value stolen was $1 070 and nothing was recovered.”
Martin Chitsinga sustained several knife cuts and a fractured right leg.
It was alleged that he was only rescued from further assaults by the arrival of members of the Zimbabwe National Army.
Traffic along the Mutare-Chimanimani Highway also came to a standstill and vendors’ business was disturbed.
