A lawmaker for Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF has appeared in court charged with leading supporters in a riotous protest brandishing a gun, a state daily reported on Thursday.
The government-mouthpiece Herald said Isaiah Shumba, a former deputy education minister, was released on bail by a magistrate in south-eastern Masvingo on Wednesday. Twelve backers arrested with him were freed.
Shumba was charged with inciting public violence at a rally last week following his defeat by a rival in party primary polls.
“It was further alleged that the former deputy minister was carrying a 303 rifle loaded with five rounds, which he waved in the air while his supporters ran around the business centre [where the rally was held],” the paper said.
Shumba was among several ruling party heavyweights defeated in primaries for next month’s parliamentary polls in what analysts have interpreted as a no-confidence vote in veteran leader Robert Mugabe and his lieutenants. — AFP