Kuwadzana East legislator, Charlton Hwende has today put the state on notice that he will apply to be removed from remand when he appears on the next remand date.
Hwende appeared before Harare Magistrates Court today facing charges of subverting constitutionally elected government as defined in section 22(2) (a) (i) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.
Through his lawyer Harrison Nkomo, Hwende said he was illegally arrested as he was picked before he had technically entered Zimbabwe.
“The accused was arrested whilst aboard a Namibian aeroplane as soon as it touched the Harare International Airport.
“Technically the accused did not yet entered Zimbabwe and he did not present himself to Zimbabwe immigration,” he said adding that this was an illegality under international law.
Nkomo also told the court that Hwende’s rights were violated and that he was not informed of the charges laid against him during the arrest.
Prosecutor, Charles Muchemwa said the state will investigate the complaints raised by the accused person.
The state’s case is that during the period extended from 28 December 2018 to 31 December 2018 the accused posted on his Twitter handle, massages that in their nature had the effect of inciting the people to revolt against the government both in his personal capacity as an MP.
Hwende will apply for a bail pending trial at the high court.
The matter was rolled over to 20 March 2019.
