Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Zimbabwean authorities have charged six school children for allegedly committing public violence in a development, which marks a new low for the troubled southern African country.
The six school children who reside at Burombo Flats in Bulawayo and are enrolled at three schools in Bulawayo including a primary school pupil were arrested on Saturday 09 July 2016 before being released into the custody of their parents and guardians and appeared at Bulawayo Magistrates Court on Monday 11 July 2016 facing charges of committing public violence.
Prosecutors from the National Prosecuting Authority alleged that the six school children participated in an anti-government protest held on Wednesday 06 July 2016 together with 500 other protesters who blocked roads in Bulawayo’s high density suburb of Luveve through placing boulders and setting alight tyres during the demonstration.
The prosecutors also claimed that the school children looted some groceries from Mzilikazi Supermarket owned by Tapiwa Kapota.
The six juveniles who were represented by Lizwe Jamela and Jonathan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) are Brighton Bvirindi aged 14 years of Lobengula Primary School, Thabo Mhlanga, aged 17 years, of Mzilikazi High School, Welcome Nkomo aged 15 years of Sobukazi High School, Billy Chivhunge aged 16 of Sobukazi High School, Blessing Phiri aged 16 years of Mzilikazi High School and Bernard Mpofu aged 15 of Sobukazi High School.
The juveniles, who were granted free bail, were remanded to 28 July 2016.
Three other Bulawayo residents who were arrested on Saturday 09 July 2016 and charged with obstructing or endangering the free movement of persons or traffic in contravention of Section 38 (c) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, were set free on Monday 11 July 2016 on $50 bail by Bulawayo Magistrate Charity Maphosa.
Prosecutors claimed that the three residents Peter Chirume aged 25 years, Mike Chizunza aged 24 years and Maxwell Dhadha aged 23 years placed burning tyres in the middle of the road on Wednesday 06 July 2016 during the nationwide stay away, thereby obstructing the free movement of traffic and persons.
Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights