A ZANU PF member in Manicaland Province who was arrested last week for comparing President Emmerson Mnangagwa unfavourably to his predecessor, the late former President Robert Mugabe, was on Monday removed from remand at the Mutare magistrate court.
Malcolm Masarira, a former Mutare ZANU PF ward 14 chairperson, was arrested last Friday after insinuating that Mugabe was better than Mnangagwa.
Masarira allegedly posted a message on a ZANU PF WhatsApp group saying people have lost confidence in Mnangagwa’s leadership.
He appeared before Mutare magistrate Richard Ramaboa charged with violating section 95 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
Prosecutor Tirivanhu Mutyasira on Monday confirmed that Masarira had been removed from remand so that further investigations can be conducted and he will be back in court by way of summons.
According to the State, Masarira claimed that the late Mugabe’s interface rallies attracted more voters for ZANU PF. Prosecutors said:
The accused person posted a defamatory message on a ZANU PF WhatsApp group called “ZANU PF Election Indaba” that insults the President.
He said people have lost confidence in the party because they feel neglected.
… The accused person insulted the President by comparing him with the late former President, that is to say; the current President is performing below par.
Mutare businessman and ZANU PF central committee member Esau Mupfumi is the complainant in the case.
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