Harare court charges MDC politician Tendai Biti with public violence
Harare/Johannesburg — Zimbabwean opposition politician Tendai Biti, thwarted in a bid to seek asylum in Zambia, was charged with public violence in a court in Zimbabwe and released on bail. Biti, a former finance minister who had claimed Zimbabwe’s July 30 election was rigged, appeared on Thursday in Harare. It capped a dramatic 24 hours in which he had tried to enter neighbouring Zambia, was detained and eventually returned to Zimbabwean authorities. Prosecutors told the court Biti was charged with public violence after a riot in Harare on August 2 caused $345,000 in damages. He also faces a charge of contravening Zimbabwe’s electoral act by announcing allegedly illegal or fabricated election results. The judge released Biti on $5,000 bail and ordered that he surrender his travel documents and report to police twice a day. The state did not oppose bail and no date for his trial was set.
Biti is among opposition leaders who questioned the outcome of last week’s presidential el...
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