Prison officer remanded in custody over riots

17 Feb, 2019 - 00:02 0 Views

The Sunday News

Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
A PRISON officer based at Whawha Prison in Gweru who connived with MDC-Alliance hooligans and participated in the violent protests that rocked the city last month has appeared in court and was remanded in custody.

It is understood that Joseph Njolomoli (29) together with MDC-Alliance youths incited violence and participated in barricading roads, destruction of property and looting in shops during the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and MDC-Alliance orchestrated protests.

Njolomoli of Mkoba 5 in Gweru last week appeared before Gweru provincial magistrate Mrs Charity Maphosa for participating in the illegal gathering with intent to promote public violence, breach of peace.

He was remanded in custody to tomorrow after witnesses failed to turn up for court.

For the State, Mr Andrew Marimo said on 15 January, Njolomoli who is a correctional officer stationed at Whawha Prison Complex, together with other people convened a meeting at Mkoba 5 with the intention of forcibly disturbing peace, security and invading the rights of other people.

Mr Marimo alleged that on the said date and at around 10am Njolomoli connived with other unknown suspects who are still at large to obstruct and endanger the free movement of people and traffic in pursuant of the national shutdown protests called for 14 to 16 January.

It is alleged that Njolomoli who was among a group of protesters blocked Mkoba 5 turn-off using logs, stones and tyres.

Mr Marimo alleged that the accused person was identified by a neighbour participating in the demonstrations and instructing other protesters to block the road and burning tyres.

The court heard that residents informed the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) who then sent three officers to apprehend him and handed him over to the police.

Njolomoli is being represented by lawyer Mr Reginald Chidawanyika of Chitere Chidawanyika Legal Practitioners.

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