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Fungai Jachi Court Correspondent
The trial date of MDC-T legislator for Highfield East Eric Murai and 15 members of the opposition party accused of stoning police officers at an unsanctioned rally in Hopley, Harare South, was on Tuesday set for December 8.

Prosecutor Mr Tafara Chirambira told the court that the State papers were not yet ready and as a result the trial could not proceed as set on Tuesday.

The lawyer representing the 16, Mr Tonderai Bhatasara of Mupanga, Bhatasara Attorneys, gave notice to the court that on December 8 he would make an application for relaxation of bail conditions.

Their bail conditions include not interfering with witnesses, residing at the addresses they gave to the court and reporting on Mondays and Wednesdays at Harare Central Police Station.

Murai (44), Memory Ncube (33), Aqueline Sanganai (68), Erenia Chiradza (54), Rutendo Bvute (29), Stella Manyanga (64), Herbert Mwadira (18), Tafadzwa Kambala (25), Sinkiwe Mandava (53), Peter Mafara (33), Shepherd Munyadzi (40), Michael Matemai (67), Farai Kushata (42), Clyde Mushamba (30), Givemore Muparahwa (38) and Memory Mudyabumhe (46) appeared before Ms Anita Tshuma facing public violence charges.

Allegations are that on November 2, Trouble Hasha applied to the police to hold an MDC-T rally at Kazembe Rising Stars Primary School.

The court heard that police turned down the rally.

It is alleged that on November 8, the accused, despite having no authorisation to conduct a rally, gathered at the school in their party regalia.

It is the State’s case that they intended to proceed with the meeting.

The State further alleged that the police received information that about 50 MDC-T supporters were holding an unsanctioned meeting.

Police led by Inspector James Chimombe went to the venue to disperse the MDC-T supporters.

Upon arrival the supporters turned violent throwing stones at the police, the court heard.

It is alleged that the situation got out of hand and the police used teargas and warning shots to disperse the crowd.

The accused were later arrested by anti-riot police.

Meanwhile, the trial of three zanu-pf members who allegedly assaulted MDC-T Member of Parliament for Budiriro constituency, Costa Machingauta, failed to kick off on Tuesday after two of the accused persons did not show up.

Kestry Muzana (37), Servious Dengedza (40) and Simbarashe Nyikadzino (35) are accused of having been sent by former zanu-pf Youth League chairperson Godwin Gomwe to assault Machingauta.

Mbare magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma issued warrants of arrest for Muzana and Dengedza before deferring the matter to December 8 for trial.

The prosecutor, Mr Tafara Chirambira, alleged that on March 23 this year Machingauta went to Budiriro 4 Shopping Centre in the company of four MDC-T members.

It is alleged that Machingauta entered Mhizha Bar and was accosted by Nyikadzino who ordered him to leave as they did not recognise him as their MP.

The court heard that the trio and seven other zanu-pf members told him they had been ordered by their boss Gomwe to kill him. The State alleged that the three struck Machingauta on the head with an empty beer bottle and assaulted him with chairs all over his body.