MDC-T Midlands South youth spokesperson, Livingstone Chimina, was yesterday arrested by Gweru police for his involvement in the demonstration which the opposition party held in the Gweru on Saturday.
Chimina, who is charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, is expected to appear in court today.
Acting Midlands Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende, could neither deny nor confirm the arrest.
“I’m not in the office at the moment, I’m in Harare attending a meeting,” she said.
MDC-T National Youth Spokesperson, Mr Brian Dube, confirmed the arrest saying the party had engaged a lawyer to represent him.
“Livingstone Chimina who is the provincial spokesperson of MDC-T Midlands South youths was summoned by police to Gweru Central Police Station concerning the demonstration that was held over the weekend.
“He was charged with the same charges that were preferred against seven other MDC-T
members,” said Mr Dube.
He, however, said Chimina was later released and asked to return today when he will appear in court.
“He is being represented by Mr Claudius Makwara of Gundu and Dube Legal Practitioners,” said Mr Dube.
The demonstration was a flop as Gweru residents snubbed the beleaguered opposition party and went about their business as usual despite frantic efforts to lure them to join the protests.
Chimina is now being charged together with Wonderful Marange (46) of Mkoba Village16, Taurai Mugaga (30) of Mkoba Village 13, Clifford Mulingwa (31) of Mkoba Village 14, Mtulisi Nhoko (37) of number 4 Casten Farm Guinea Fowl, Ndaba Mangena (22) of Plot 222 Ruby Farm, Faith Chuma (24) of Riverside and a 17-year-old girl of number 16 Plot Wida, Bulawayo Road.
The seven were on Monday arraigned before Provincial Magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa for participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence.
They were not asked to plead and were remanded to August 27 on $100 bail while the 17-year-old girl was released into her mother’s custody.
