had their remand refused, and thus it was not possible to determine how many persons were
subsequently discharged or convicted from this sub-group.
Table 2: Legal consequences for Food Riots cases: Comparison of different Harare suburbs
Braeside
Glenview
Harare
Central
Hatfield
Mabvuku
Marimba
Warren Park
Unspecified
areas
Warrant
issued
1
2
0
7
4
1
0
6
Withdrawal
before plea
0
3
14
5
36
16
4
24
Withdrawal
after plea
2
1
1
11
11
10
0
2
Remand
refused
1
226
25
14
66
46
7
22
Remand
2
1
0
6
4
4
1
0
Acquittal
10
6
3
1
3
20
1
1
Fine
0
2
0
0
10
0
0
2
Prison
3
41
3
0
18
1
3
15
Suspended
sentence
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Totals
19
282
46
44
152
99
16
72
Chitungwiza
The data from Chitungwiza showed a more complete picture. Data were obtained on a total of 681
cases, and, as can be seen from Table 3, the picture was very different from the Harare Magistrate’s
Court. No breakdown was available for the areas of Chitungwiza involved, so the data cannot
reflect any distribution for these cases.
Table 3: Legal consequences for Food Riots cases in Chitungwiza
Withdrawn
before plea
Withdrawn
after plea
Wholly
suspended
sentence
Fined
Imprisoned
Community
service
Cuts
Other
310
45.52
185
27.17
19
2.79
0
0.00
113
16.59
4
0.59
33
4.85
17
2.50
Firstly, there was a complete absence of information on whether remand was refused for those
charged. This tied in with the press reports of large numbers of persons being brought swiftly
before Magistrates in Chitungwiza. Secondly, the state withdrew cases against the overwhelming
majority or had cases dismissed (total 73%), so that the arrests were not sustainable on the evidence
produced by the ZRP.
Thirdly, a very high number of persons were given custodial sentences (17%), and this is of great
concern if these sentences were given on the basis of warned and cautioned statements produced
under duress. It is distressing to see that no-one was given the option of a fine, or at least that noone was able to take advantage of this option if it was offered. Fourthly, the persons given cuts were
all juveniles.
5