MDC national organisers to face trial together for failing to stop demos

Movement for Democratic Change national organising secretary Amos Chibaya and his deputy Sibusisiwe Bhuda Masara are to face trial together for failing to stop the 16 August demonstrations after Masara was remanded to 12 September the same date Chibaya was remanded to.

Masara, a proportional representation legislator for Matabeleland North, was arrested on Thursday and released on $400 bail yesterday.

She and Chibaya are accused of failing to stop demonstrations on 16 August which they had organised for their party the MDC after police banned them.

Some people convened at the main venue for the demonstrations Africa Unity Square despite the ban which was confirmed by the High Court.

Police subsequently dispersed the demonstrators and beat up some people including women.

They subsequently banned other demonstrations scheduled for Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare but the brutal force that was displayed in Harare scared away many in the subsequent demonstrations.

The MDC leadership has been under fire for the way they handled the demonstrations as they failed to lead them from the front as they had promised with some reports saying this has caused divisions within the party.

The main opposition later said it had decided to take the demonstrations to rural areas but this also seems to have been scuttled.

Some of the party supporters are now accusing the leadership of having no alternative plan to handle the President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration.

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