‘Missing Itai Dzamara’s brother jointly charged with four others, on two counts of robbery and defeating the course of justice’.

 
Harare magistrate Arnold Maburo yesterday issued warrants of arrest for three anti-government protesters who failed to turn up for trial over a robbery case involving Patson Dzamara.

Dzamara is jointly charged with Oliver Chikumba, 32, Tatenda Mombeyarara, 33, Pride Mukono, 26, and Makomborero Haruzivishe, 33, on two counts of robbery and defeating the course of justice.

They were arrested in June while protesting against President Robert Mugabe’s regime at Africa Unity Square before the State preferred the mentioned charges against them.

However, at the commencement of trial yesterday Chikumba, Mukono and Haruzivishe were not present.

Prosecutor Desire Chidanire then applied for warrants of arrest which were granted by the court.

“Chikumba is in South Africa and failed to get time off work while the other two accused persons are locked up in Mutare cells for another pending case,” the group’s lawyer Obey Shava explained.

The case was deferred to October 10 for continuation.According to State papers, on June 9 at around midnight, the two complainants disembarked from a commuter omnibus at Fourth Street bus terminus.

They passed through Africa Unity Square on their way to Copacabana bus terminus to get transport to Mufakose.

Dzamara and his accomplices allegedly confronted the complainants and snatched their handbags before searching them.

They allegedly stole three  school uniforms, a red jersey, a pair of trousers, a jean skirt and a wallet containing $30.

The other complainant lost three school jerseys and one floral dress.

When the complainants screamed for help, three police officers, who were on duty near Parliament, rushed to the scene.

The accused persons resisted arrest and took away constable Nhidza’s cap and baton while dragging him to a silver Honda Fit along Jason Moyo Avenue.

Dzamara and his accomplices were later arrested and police recovered the stolen property, valued at $80. source-daily news