Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Members of Parliament, Amos Chibaya and Costa Machingauta, were convicted on Friday by Harare Magistrate Sharon Takafa for disturbing public peace. They were convicted along with Aletta Viremai, Lancelot Tungwarara, and Monica Mukwada.
The five activists were represented by lawyers Kudzai Kadzere and Chris Mhike from the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
The magistrate ruled that the CCC leaders acted with “common purpose,” meaning they were all responsible for the actions, as they continued chanting party slogans even after police ordered them to disperse.
However, Magistrate Takafa acquitted five other people, saying the police had made dragnet arrests and some of those arrested were simply going about their business when the incident occurred.
The case stems from a private meeting held at Machingauta’s house in Budiriro on January 14 of last year, where police say the actions of CCC leaders and supporters disrupted public peace. The court will return on Monday for pre-sentencing.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200040143/opposition-leaders-convicted-for-public-violence">NewsDay</a>

Pindula News

Former Members of Parliament from CCC, Chibaya and Machingauta, were found guilty of disturbing public peace with three others. They were chanting party slogans after police told them to stop. Lawyers represented them in court. Five other people were found innocent because they were not involved in the disturbance. The incident happened at a private meeting at Machingauta's house last year. The court will decide their punishment on Monday.

Chibaya, Machingauta, And Others Found Guilty Of Disturbing Public Peace

A school teacher in Gokwe, Tawanda Siampongo (52), was released on US$100 bail by a magistrate on Friday, 27 September after being arrested last week for allegedly participating in an anti-government demonstration in August.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Siampongo is accused of participating in a demonstration held in August in protest against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s assumption of the SADC Chairperson position at a regional meeting in Harare.
Siampongo is represented by Artwell Chinamatira from ZLHR and is scheduled to return to court on October 11.
In a related case, former opposition Member of Parliament Costa Machingauta, who was arrested in August 2024 on charges of incitement to commit public violence and disorderly conduct, was also granted US$100 bail on September 27 after spending 42 days in detention.
High Court Judge Justice Faith Mushure ordered Machingauta’s release with conditions: he must refrain from any actions that could endanger public safety or security until his case is resolved, and he is required to report to a police station every two weeks.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A teacher named Tawanda Siampongo from Gokwe was given bail of $100 after being arrested for protesting against the government in August. Another person, Costa Machingauta, was also given bail after spending time in detention. They both have to follow rules and report to the police regularly. The teacher will go back to court in October. They were part of a demonstration against the President in Harare. The teacher is being helped by a group called Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Gokwe Teacher Granted US$100 Bail Following Protest Arrest

Twenty-six members of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) who were arrested in Budiriro have been granted bail by Harare Magistrate Yeukai Dzuda.
The activists who are from Budidido were granted ZWL$30 000 each while two of the accused, one aged 81 and another aged 72 years were granted free bail. 
They were all remanded to 3 February 2023. 
CCC national spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, announced the development. In a Twitter post seen by Pindula News, Mahere said:
<blockquote>
BREAKING: The #Budiriro26 have been granted bail by the Magistrates’ Court. They are to pay 30K bail each, report to police once a week and not interfere with witnesses. Thank you to all citizens who flooded the court in solidarity with our change champions.
</blockquote>
Mahere said the party was not celebrating the activists’ release. She said:
<blockquote>
We don’t celebrate the release of the #Budiriro26. They should never have been arrested in the first place. How can we celebrate 2 weeks of abuse that led to our members contracting Covid in jail? It’s not a crime to say “Ngaapinde Hake Mukomana.” We will not stop saying it!
</blockquote>
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/bail-denied-for-24-ccc-members/">They were arrested almost a fortnight ago</a> when they intended to hold “an unsanctioned” meeting at the house of Costa Machingauta, the opposition MDC Alliance Member of Parliament for Budiriro.
While at the gathering, the accused persons chanted [CCC] political party slogan “Ngaapinde hake Mukomana, 2023 Chamisa chete chete” meaning “let the boy get in, 2023 Chamisa only”.
Members of ZRP Budiriro received a tip-off that the accused were gathered and went to investigate. 
Police say upon arrival at Machingauta’s house, officers observed that the accused’s conduct was disturbing the peace of a section of members of the public.
CCC organising secretary Amos Chibaya and Machingauta were among those arrested.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Just In: Harare Magistrate Grants Bail To CCC's 26 Budiriro Activists

Lawyers representing 25 members of the opposition CCC who were arrested last week in Harare’s Budiriro suburb said their female clients were molested en route to the Harare magistrates court.
The lawyers accused the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) wardens of transporting female prisoners in the same van with male prisoners who are not CCC members, which resulted in the females being fondled along the way.
The lawyers, Wilbert Mandinde, Kudzai Kadzere and Chris Mhike also alleged that one of the accused persons contracted coronavirus while in prison and has been isolated for 10 days.
Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda ordered the State to investigate the abuse and bring the report to court by Friday.
The CCC members were arrested for allegedly holding a political gathering in Harare without police clearance.
Allegations are that on 14 January 2023, the accused persons responded to an invitation for a meeting at Budiriro MP Costa Machingauta’s house.
Prosecutors submitted that ZRP Budiriro received a tip-off that the accused were gathered illegally and went to investigate. 
<blockquote>
Upon arrival at the scene of the crime, the police observed that the accused’s conduct was disturbing the peace of a section of members of the public.
The police ordered the accused persons to disperse, but they resisted leading to their arrest. The accused had no lawful excuse to act in the manner they did.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200006532/female-ccc-members-fondled-in-prison-vehicle">NewsDay</a>

Female CCC Members Fondled In Prison Vehicle - Lawyers

Twenty-four Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members who were arrested in Harare on Saturday for holding an unsanctioned meeting were denied bail when they appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court on Monday, 16 January.
The CCC members including party organising secretary Amos Chibaya and Budiriro legislator Costa Machingauta were arrested at the latter’s home while holding a private meeting.
They appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda who postponed the matter to this Tuesday for the continuation of bail application.
While opposing bail, the investigating officer George Garauzive said the evidence against the CCC members was overwhelming.
Garauzive argued that they may interfere with witnesses if granted bail.
One of the accused persons, a 17-year-old, was released under the guardianship of her uncle.
The CCC members were represented by Advocate Wilbert Mandinde and Chris Mhike.
Allegations against them are that on Saturday, the accused persons held an unsanctioned meeting in Budiriro.
In the State outline, Amos Chibaya is the accused number one. It reads:
<blockquote>
1. Complainant is the State.
2. Accused [1] is a male adult residing at 416 Mkoba 13, Gweru and is not employed. He is the National Organising Secretary for the Citizens Coalition for Change [CCC] political party.
3. Accused [2] – [25] are residents of Budiriro in Harare and are not employed.
4. On 14 January 2023, accused persons responded to an invitation for Citizens Coalition for Change [CCC] political party members’ Presidential Assembly meeting at house number 9239, Vhumba Crescent, Budiriro 5B, Harare. The house is owned by Citizens Coalition for Change [CCC] House of Assembly Member for Budiriro Constituency Costa Machingauta. The invitation is allegedly authored and circulated on various social media platforms by Lancelot Tungwarara with no further particulars known.
5. On the same date [14/01/23], accused persons who were dressed in [CCC] regalia that include caps, helmets and T-shirts gathered at house number 9239, Vhumba Crescent Budiriro 5B, Harare pursuant to the alleged invitation on social media platforms.
6. While at the gathering, the accused persons chanted [CCC] political party slogan “Ngaapinde hake Mukomana, 2023 Chamisa chete chete” meaning “let the boy get in, 2023 Chamisa only”.
7. Members of ZRP Budiriro received a tip-off that the accused were gathered and went to investigate. Upon arrival at the scene of the crime, the police observed that the accused’s conduct was disturbing the peace of a section of members of the public.
8. The police ordered the accused persons to disperse but they resisted leading to their arrest.
9. The accused had no lawful excuse to act in the manner they did.
</blockquote>

Bail Denied For 24 CCC Members

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Law_Society_of_Zimbabwe">Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ)</a> has expressed concern over reports that a Harare lawyer, Kudzai Kadzere was assaulted by police on Saturday while he was attending to members of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) who had been arrested.
CCC reported yesterday that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/lawyer-badly-beaten-arrested-while-attending-to-arrested-ccc-officials-mahere/">Kadzere was “badly beaten and arrested”</a> while attending to party officials including Amos Chibaya who were detained at Budiriro 2 police station.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, LSZ criticised the police for taking a front-row seat to violate the rights of all citizens when they have a constitutional obligation to protect them. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>EM/rc/LSZ statement on assault of lawyer by police/2023 14 January 2023 </h2>
Law Society of Zimbabwe statement on reports of police assault on Harare lawyer Mr Kudzai Kadzere
The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) expresses deep concern at reports that one of its members and Harare lawyer Mr Kudzai Kadzere, was assaulted and humiliated by police details early Saturday. 
Information reaching the Law Society of Zimbabwe is that Mr Kadzere had apparently reacted to a plea for legal assistance by a group of opposition political party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists in Harare’s high-density suburb of Budiriro. Upon arrival at the police station, Mr Kadzere was reportedly seized and assaulted by police officials. 
Mr Kadzere has confirmed the assault. Just this week, we issued a statement condemning reports of violence in Murewa and calling on the state to do everything possible to nip political violence in the bud. To have such brazen conduct from police officers demonstrates a high level of impunity by officers and nothing short of swift disciplinary action will restore public confidence in the police. 
Our Constitution and numerous other international instruments to which Zimbabwe is a state party provide for rights to legal representation and the right of lawyers to do their work freely without hindrance.
Our own courts have pronounced themselves unequivocally on the rights of legal practitioners to conduct their professional duties without any hindrance. 
This is a new low for Zimbabwe and we are deeply disappointed that of all people, the police who have a constitutional obligation to protect the rights of all citizens have taken a front-row seat to violating the same. This is a sad indictment on the professionalism of our police force which is expected to operate in a fair and non-partisan manner.
 The Law Society of Zimbabwe demands an explanation and a full investigation as well as prosecution of those behind Mr Kadzere’s assault. Such kind of behaviour must not be allowed in our country and should be frowned upon. The right of lawyers to represent all who require legal representation should be sacrosanct and the police must be the first to defend it. 
We wish Mr Kadzere a speedy recovery. 
</blockquote>
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Lawyer Beaten: LSZ Criticises Police "For Taking Front-row Seat To Violate Rights Of All Citizens"

Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson has said armed police assaulted the wife and daughter of Costa Machingauta, the opposition MDC Alliance Member of Parliament for Budiriro.
In a series of Twitter posts seen by Pindula News, Mahere said:
<blockquote>
⛔️ZANU PF abusing the Police Service have stormed the home of Hon Machingauta where an internal @CCCZimbabwe planning meeting was to take place as we lay out our program of action for 2023. ZRP lorries with armed police &amp; teargas are camped at Hon Machingauta’s home.
🟡ZANU PF will say the tear-gassing &amp; violence taking place at Hon Machingauta’s home as we speak is “stage-managed.”
Murewa last week. Now this?
Varikukwata!
We need new leaders.🇿🇼
</blockquote>
In an update, Mahere said the Chibaya, Machingauta and others were held at Budiriro 2 Police Station. She added:
<blockquote>
We’ve deployed our rapid response team to secure their protection. Armed @PoliceZimbabwe are camped with lorries at the Machingauta home. His wife &amp; daughter were badly beaten.
Why are you beating up his wife and daughter?
This is a special level of cruel.
We need new leaders.🇿🇼
</blockquote>
The CCC party says charges against the opposition leaders are not yet clear adding that they were arrested “for attending an internal meeting this morning.”
CCC, which is led by Nelson Chamisa, a former Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services says it condemns the continued banning of its “internal meetings and rallies by the regime in Harare.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

"Armed Police Have Beaten Up The Wife And Daughter Of Budiriro MP" - Mahere

MDC Alliance (MDC-A) Member of Parliament for Budiriro, Costa Machingauta (45), has been arrested on rape charges.
Machingauta was arrested on Thursday on allegations of raping a woman he had given a lift into Harare’s central business district (CBD).
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the legislator’s arrest. He said:
<blockquote>It is confirmed that Costa Machingauta has been arrested in connection with a rape report made by a 26-year old woman he had given a lift into the CBD, then to Mabvuku and back into the CBD. The alleged rape happened in the CBD. The suspect is expected to appear in court soon.</blockquote>
Machingauta, who was represented by Tarisai Mutangi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human rights, was arrested at Harare Central Police Station.
He also has a pending case of public violence for allegedly participating in protests staged over delays in the announcement of the results of the 2018 general elections.
<h4>More: <a href="https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-local-byo-202073.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Bulawayo24</a></h4>

Amos Chibaya Latest News

Latest Jobs