Michelle Chifamba,
Harare Magistrate Court has acquitted Citizens Coalition for Change leader, Senator Jameson Timba and 77 other co-accused who were facing chargers of disorderly conduct after they were arrested on June 16, while commemorating the International Day of the African Child. The accused had spent 80 days in detention, denied bail.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, two charges were placed against Senator Timba and others, that is disorderly conduct and gathering with intention to cause public violence.
Magistrate Colleta Ncube acquitted the accused for disorderly charges. In her ruling, Magistrate Ncube ruled that the alleged gathering of the 77 Harare residents was at a private residence, hence they did not commit any offence as alleged by prosecutors and police officers who roughed them and assaulted them upon arrest. On the charges of gathering with an intention to cause public violence 12 of the accused persons were acquitted.
Meanwhile human rights defender, Namatai Kwekweza and her co-accused, Robson Chere and Samuel Gwenzi were also granted bail today by the High Court which found the decision by the lower court not compelling enough. Namatai and others were arrested on 31 July, at Robert Mugabe International Airport on their way to Victoria Falls and were charged with, ‘disorderly conduct in a public space, Sec 41 (b) of the Criminal Code of Zimbabwe), which was in relation to their alleged participation in a public peaceful march outside the Harare Magistrates Court on June 27, 2024.
The arrests of the civil rights activists have attracted local and international human rights organizations’ attention. The organizations have been putting pressure on the government of Zimbabwe and president Mnangagwa for an immediate release.
Civil Rights Activist, Claris Madhuku commenting on the release of the activists said there was no need to celebrate as justice delayed is justice denied.
“Bail is a right provided for in the Zimbabwe Constitution, it as become worrying that people are incarcerated before a process of due diligence only to be acquitted later. We pray that our justice system is sensitized to protect vulnerable citizens of political victimization,” Madhuku said.
