By Staff Reporter

The High Court acquitted former Mt Pleasant legislator Fadzayi Mahere on appeal, following her conviction by Harare magistrate Taurai Manuwere in April last year.

Mahere was charged and later convicted of communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the State, the same charge used to sentence another opposition activist Job Sikhala.

She was fined US$500 or three months prison term.

Her appeal against both conviction and sentence has been upheld by the High Court on the grounds that her arrest, prosecution and conviction were on the basis of an offence that does not exist.

In her reaction to the acquittal, Mahere said she feels good to have a clean criminal record.

“The High Court has upheld my appeal. The offence in terms of which I was charged and jailed at Chikurubi was invalid. The conviction and sentence have been quashed.

“The High Court confirmed that I was arrested, prosecuted and convicted on the basis of an offence that doesn’t exist,” said Mahere.

Sikhala’s lawyer Harrison Nkomo has also hinted that his client will approach the High Court to have his conviction and sentence quashed.