HARARE - A brawl over the distribution of state-subsidised grain has landed an Insiza MDC official in court.

Nivas Dube, an MDC councillor in Insiza area, allegedly pounced on a police officer who was trying to restore order at a chaotic grain distribution point.

Dube has appeared before the Mbembesi Circuit Court on allegations of undermining police authority. Dube was not asked to plead when he appeared before Magistrate Victor Mpofu.

According to state papers, Dube was involved in a brawl with policeman Tapiwa Mugabe in February this year.

According to the state, Mugabe received a report on chaotic scenes at Jabulani Hall in Shangani where maize distribution by Grain Marketing Board (GMB) was underway.

Prosecutor Memory Ndlovu told the court that Dube and his accomplices wanted to take over the distribution of maize from the GMB claiming he should be responsible for the distribution exercise since he was the local councillor.

Mugabe intervened and tried to restore order but Dube grabbed him by the collar of his uniform shirt and ordered him to vacate the scene, alleging that all police were affiliated to Zanu PF, Ndlovu told the court.

MDC supporters, the prosecutor said, were urging Dube during the mayhem.

Mugabe later convinced Dube to go with him to the police station to amicably solve the dispute, leading to the councillor’s  arrest.

Dube is charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for undermining police authority and was remanded out of custody to 21 November. -
Nyasha Chingono