Cops swarm Zim hearing

2004-03-23 20:31

Kodzevu Sithole

Harare - A heavy presence of military, intelligence, plainclothes policemen and prison officers characterised the first public appearance of the 70 alleged mercenaries for their hearing at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison on Tuesday.

Despite the hearing being held behind the imposing walls of Zimbabwe's most-fortified prison complex - which houses the hardcore criminals of society - security was beefed up, with military vehicles sprinkled around the interior perimeter walls of the complex.

Armed guards on horseback rode around the perimeter fence. Hordes of prison officers, some armed, manned the three checkpoints into the prison complex, where one had to register and provide personal details.

No shopping

At the third and final checkpoint, a notice stuck on the wall advised prison officials there would be no shopping on Tuesday, as all officers were to report for duty.

Press and the alleged mercenaries' legal team had to undergo body and weapons detection searches before registering for entry.

The South African ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jeremiah Ndou, dismissed the prison officers determination to search him, saying he carried no weapons.

I will not be searched

"You better trust me on that one. I carry no weapons and I will not be searched," Ndou said.

A workshop was converted into a courtroom for the hearing.

Presiding magistrate Mishrode Guvamombe hardly took 30 minutes to record the charges being filed against the 70 men, who were remanded in custody to April 13 2004.

The men, some in sandals, slippers or barefoot, were in leg irons. Their handcuffs were removed just before the magistrate entered the courtroom.

More than 100 prison officers were in attendance in the courtroom, with members of the central intelligence organisation, officials from the Zimbabwe Republic Police's law and order section and ordinary police also in attendance.

Representing the state, chief law officer Mary Zimba-Dube read out the charges: Simon Francis Mann and 69 others for contravening the Firearms Act through a conspiracy to purchase and possess firearms without a firearms certificate and conspiracy to purchase and possess ammunition without a firearms certificate.

Jaap Niel Steyl and 66 others for contravening the aviation regulations by making a false statement or declaration to an official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.

First sentenced to the fine

Simon Mann and 69 others for contravening the Public Order and Security Act by conspiring and attempting to possess dangerous weapons (two counts) and contravening the Immigration Act.

Jonathan Samkange, one of the lawyers representing the 70, said the charges against his clients carried a maximum fine of Z$200 000.

"Where the legislature has prescribed a fine and then a prison sentence as an option, it is obligatory for the court to first sentence one to the fine, and that will be the case in this incident," Samkange said.

- Media24 Africa