Crisis in Zim Coalition boss Mahiya faces treason charges

Crisis  in Zimbabwe Coalition chairman Rashid Stewart Mahiya appeared before a Harare magistrate Tuesday facing charges of subverting a constitutionally elected government.

Mahiya appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzayi Mugwagwa.

The State led by Shepherd Makonde opposed bail and the matter was remanded to March 12.

He will make his bail application at the High Court.

Allegations are that Mahiya committed the offence between December 3 and 6 when he convened a meeting to address Heal Zimbabwe Trust as well as members of his organisation.

The court heard that Mahiya led the meeting together with Interpeace of Switzerland  in his capacity as board chairperson for Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.

His accomplices are yet to be apprehended.

The court heard that during meeting, Mahiya incited members of the mentioned Non -Governmental Organisations and the general populace to subvert the constitutionally elected government  by urging Zimbabweans to engage in acts of civil disobedience.

It is also alleged that he pushed for “passive disobedience to law, public violence, hooliganism and rampant looting across Zimbabwe.”

It is alleged that as a result of his utterances, and that of his accomplices the public engaged in acts of violence, damaged government property and looting of shops among other things between January 14 and 16 this year.

It is alleged Mahiya then went into hiding before he presented himself to the police on February 25 this year.

Mahiya was represented by his lawyer Tonderai Bhatasara.