Kudzai pleads not guilty as “umbrella possession” trial commences

By Court Reporter

FREELANCE journalist Edmund Kudzayi on Tuesday 26 March 2019 pleaded
not guilty to charges of possessing an army uniform as his trial
commenced in Harare.

Kudzayi, the Editor of Kukurigo News, an online newspaper, pleaded not
guilty to charges of unlawful possession or wearing of camouflage
uniforms as defined in section 32 of the Criminal Law (Codification
and Reform) Act, when he appeared before Harare Magistrate Victoria
Mashamba.

The freelance journalist and former editor of  The Sunday Mail who

is represented by Obey Shava of Zimbabwe
Lawyers for Human Rights, was arrested on Friday 22 February 2019 at a
police check-point along Domboshawa road in Harare after he was
allegedly found in possession of a camouflage umbrella with a pouch in
his vehicle.

When trial commenced, Shava filed an application for exception to the
charges, wherein the freelance journalist denied committing the
offence as alleged by State Prosecutor Idah Marimo.

Kudzayi returns to court on Wednesday 27 March 2019 for continuation
of his trial.