By Romeo Takundwa
The trial of Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST) Director, Alice continued yesterday when she appeared before Magistrate Faith Moyo at Chitungwiza Magistrate Court.
Kuvheya is facing charges of inciting public violence through recording a video castigating demolitions of illegal structures in Chitungwiza.
She was arrested on the 14th of June for allegedly speaking against the demolitions of ‘illegal’ structures by council in the dormitory town.
She is represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
During an interview with Bustop TV Kuvheya’s lawyer Freddy Masarirevhu said that he argued against the charges on the basis that contents of the alleged video are not of criminal nature.
“I challenged the charge , made an application for exception on the basis that what was uttered in video is not a criminal offence” said Mararirevhu.
The ruling will be handed down on the 24th of November 2021.
Sometime in May, the vibrant residence leader expressed dissatisfaction over demolitions of “illegal” structures which was followed by a statement from Chitungwiza Municipality Town Clerk, Evangelista Machona threatening informal traders with loss of life should they resist demolitions.
This was before CHITREST through its lawyers filed an urgent chamber application seeking to bar the government and local authorities in Harare Metropolitan Province from demolishing “illegal” informal business structures.
The urgent chamber application under case H/C2857/21 cited Chitungwiza Municipality, City of Harare, Ruwa and Epworths local boards, Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe as well as Local Government Minister July Moyo argued that the demolitions are unlawful.