The Sunday News
THE Sunday Mail editor Edmund Kudzayi yesterday appeared at the Harare Provincial Magistrates’ Court, facing charges of attempting to subvert a constitutionally elected Government, undermining the authority of the President and contravening the Fire Arms Act.
Harare Provincial Magistrate Mr Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe remanded him in custody to tomorrow morning when a bail hearing will take place.
Yesterday, police dismissed media reports that investigations were targeting certain Cabinet ministers and politicians.
The full charges laid against Kudzayi, 28, are attempting to commit an act of insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism as defined under Section 189 (1) (a) and (b) as read with Section 23 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23; undermining authority or insulting the President as defined in Section 33 (2) (a) (ii) of the same Act and publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State.
He is also accused of contravening Section 28 (2) of the Fire Arms Act Chapter 10:09, which deals with failure to secure ammunition.
Mr Tawanda Zvekare of the Prosecutor General’s Office told the court that in April last year, Kudzayi allegedly hatched a plan with his brother, Philip Kudzayi, to overthrow the Government through unconstitutional means.
It is alleged he created a Gmail account, [email protected], using a mobile phone line registered in Philip’s name, but used by Kudzayi.
The two allegedly formed two separate groups called the Gunda Nleya Brigade and the Zimbabwe Revolutionary Army to allegedly overthrow the Government through war.
“The accused posted articles on the Baba Jukwa Facebook page which encouraged rebellion against Government if the said election is stolen. They also posted articles to the effect that they had a Dare Rechimurenga in place and that a team was on the ground studying the situation in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Zvekare.
“On 11 May 2014, The Sunday Mail published a story about the true identity of Baba Jukwa titled, “Hackers unmask Baba Jukwa”. Investigations, however, revealed that the accused was the one in control of the Baba Jukwa Gmail account as his details were on the recovery panel of the said account, that is, his email address and his brother’s Econet mobile number which he is using. Furthermore, investigations revealed that the account was never hacked into.”
He added that Kudzayi allegedly undermined the authority of the President in an article he penned on August 7 2008 attacking President Mugabe.
The Zimbabwe Mail, an online publication, allegedly published the article with knowledge that the information was false.
In addition, police detectives allege they recovered 13 unsecured rounds of ammunition at Kudzayi’s office and home.
Kudzayi was represented by lawyer Mr Joseph Mandizha, who requested that his client access a cellular phone which is in the hands of the police, saying it had “material” that could help defend the case.
However, the State declined to release the phone.
Mr Zvekare said there was no need to fear that the phone would be tampered with as the State would not build a false case against him.
Soon after the court session, police dismissed reports that investigations were targeting particular Cabinet ministers.
In a statement, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said: “The police wish to inform the public that there are no ministers targeted in the investigations. In fact, ministers were targeted by Baba Jukwa. The most targeted minister was in fact Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, his wife and family.
“It is improper for the media to carry out stories that suggest any minister, parliamentarian, Government official and members of the ruling party are being targeted. Actually, they were at the receiving end and were victims.
“Such publications which insinuate that certain ministers and parliamentarians are targeted, are intended to throw confusion into the whole matter and solicit ministers’ and Zanu-PF sympathy, in the process diluting the gravity of Edmund Kudzayi’s case.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police will not be stopped from conducting thorough and comprehensive investigations in this matter.”
