Story by Fungai Jachi
FORMER Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators, Amos Chibaya and Costa Machingauta, together with three others who were convicted last Friday for participating in an unlawful gathering in 2023 will be sentenced on April 9.
The five had their pre-sentencing hearing held this Monday.
During the proceedings, the five pleaded for a non-custodial sentence, saying they were remorseful for their actions.
They pleaded with the court to take into consideration that they were first offenders, arguing that the gathering was not for criminal purposes.
The State, however, argued that the conduct of the five breached peace and that their sentence should send a message to would-be offenders who plan unsanctioned gatherings and disrupt peace.
The magistrate postponed the sentencing of the five to next week on Wednesday.
Facts are that on January 14, 2023, a meeting was called for and convened at Machingauta’s residence in Budiriro 5B, Harare.
The invitation was reportedly shared on social media by Tungwarara.
The five convicted individuals were seen wearing CCC-branded caps, helmets and T-shirts at the gathering.
They allegedly chanted party slogans.
Police in Budiriro received a tip-off about the meeting and went to investigate.
Upon arrival, they observed that the gathering was disturbing the peace.
When officers ordered the group to disperse, the attendees reportedly resisted, leading to their arrest.
