HEARING in a case involving nine people,
including Chadema Women’s Wing (BAWACHA) Chairperson, Halima Mdee, will
continue on May 4, this year, following adjournment filed at the Kisutu
Resident Magistrate’s Court due to absence of the presiding magistrate.
Before Resident Magistrate Nyigulila
Mwaseba, State Attorney Janethrosa Kitali told the court that the case
had been brought for mention.
“We request for an adjournment because
the magistrate who is in charge of hearing the case has failed to attend
the session due to some emergencies,” said State Attorney Kitali.
In the case, Mdee, who is also the
Member of Parliament (MP) for Kawe constituency, is charged alongside
Rose Moshi, Renina Leafyagila, Anna Linjewile, Mwanne Kassim, Sophia
Fanuael, Edward Julius, Martha Mtiko and Beatus Mmari.
It is alleged that without lawful
excuse, the accused disobeyed a lawful order to disperse issued by
Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Tillf, who had been acting in the
capacity of a police officer duly authorised in that behalf.
The prosecution further alleges that on
the same day and at the same place, the accused unlawfully assembled
with intent to carry out some common purpose of going to the President’s
Office.
It was reported that Mdee, after her
arrest in connection with the incident, was taken to Oysterbay Police
Station where she was held for several hours along with eight other
members of the wing. Earlier, Bawacha had demanded a permit from the
police to carry out the demonstration.
However, the police did not grant them
the permit for what they said was security reasons. On the material day,
Mdee began briefing journalists on their intention to hold a demo,
saying they had been allowed by the State House to see the president.
She claimed that their demonstration was
legal because they had properly informed the police three days earlier.
Mdee further said that the police responded very late on their request
on holding the demonstration.
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