Ishmael Maukazuva, the Councillor for Ward 12 in Chikomba West Constituency, has been released after spending two days in detention.
He was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers and charged with undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Maukazuva, who was represented by Paida Saurombe from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), was taken into custody on Wednesday. 
The arrest followed accusations that he had forwarded a TikTok video clip to the Chivhu Residents and Ratepayers Association WhatsApp group.
The video, which allegedly showed a woman criticising President Mnangagwa for mismanaging the economy, included derogatory comments about the president and the ruling ZANU PF party.
However, on Friday, March 14, 2025, prosecutors from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew the charges against Maukazuva.
The charges were withdrawn on the basis that they (prosecutors) had not first obtained a certificate to prosecute from the Prosecutor-General, authorising them to pursue legal action against the opposition political party Councillor.
It had been alleged that Maukazuva had unlawfully circulated the TikTok video, which featured disparaging remarks about President Mnangagwa.
The video included an anonymous woman accusing the president of causing “misfortunes” for Zimbabweans and urging him to step down in favour of a “younger” leader.

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An opposition councillor named Ishmael Maukazuva was arrested for sharing a video criticizing President Mnangagwa. He spent two days in detention but was later released when prosecutors withdrew the charges. The charges were dropped because the prosecutors did not have the proper authorization to prosecute him. The video Maukazuva shared showed a woman criticizing the president for mismanaging the economy. The woman in the video also urged President Mnangagwa to step down for a younger leader. Maukazuva was represented by a lawyer from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Opposition Councillor Arrested For For Sharing Video Criticising Mnangagwa Freed After Prosecutors Withdraw Charges

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has raised concerns about the government’s and some state actors’ defiance of court orders, saying this behaviour contributes to a culture of impunity in the country.
In a statement, ZLHR said they have noted an alarming trend where the state and certain state actors have consistently failed to comply with court orders issued by judicial officers across the country.
These orders often require the payment of judgment debts to victims of human rights violations who have sought legal redress.
As a result, many human rights defenders face difficulties in enforcing compensation orders for victims of human rights violations due to the state’s and some state actors’ refusal to pay judgment debts. Said the ZLHR:
<blockquote>
So deep-seated is the habit, that victims are resorting to instituting additional costly and time-consuming litigation such as applications of contempt of court proceedings against the state and state actors to force them to comply with court orders while in some cases, this has resulted in lengthy court processes, which has the effect of deterring would-be claimants from pursuing their matters against the state.
In some cases, human rights lawyers have on behalf of victims of human rights violations employed additional strategies such as challenging the constitutionality of provisions of the State Liabilities Act, which seeks to promote impunity in cases, where ordinary citizens are rendered powerless to execute court judgments that are in their favour in civil cases.
The provisions of section 5(2) of the State Liabilities Act, which protect state properties from being attached to satisfy unpaid compensation claims to people such as victims of state-sponsored human rights infringements by some state actors and agencies are unconstitutional as they offend fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.
</blockquote>
The human rights lawyers expressed concern over the increased misuse of section 5 of the State Liabilities Act, which prevents the execution or attachment of state property to compensate victims of human rights violations. They said:
<blockquote>
This provision of the State Liabilities Act which grants the state immunity against the execution of its properties by holders of judgment debts, extends an undue and unfair advantage to the state in litigation.
This advantage is unfortunately not extended to other litigants and, as such, induces their inequitable treatment while infringing on the right to equality of all persons before the law and to equal protection and benefit of the law.
Moreover, the phenomenon of defiance of court orders severely undermines the judiciary and the justice delivery system and entrenches a culture of impunity and lawlessness in the country including weakening national institutions that are vital for the protection of human rights, the restoration of the rule of law and democracy in the country.
</blockquote>
The ZLHR reminded the government of its primary responsibility to enforce the rule of law and fight impunity.
The lawyers argued that by enforcing court orders, the executive would fulfil its mandate to ensure citizens enjoy the right to legal protection.
This right is entrenched in the Constitution and other regional and international instruments that the government has signed and ratified.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights are upset because the government and some state actors are not following court orders. This means people who have been hurt or had their rights violated are not getting compensated. The lawyers are saying this behavior creates a culture where people can do bad things without consequences. They want the government to obey court orders to protect human rights. The lawyers are also challenging a law that prevents victims from getting compensation from state property. They believe everyone should be treated equally under the law. The lawyers are reminding the government of its duty to enforce the rule of law and fight against impunity.

Lawyers For Human Rights Slam Government For Ignoring Court Orders

High Court judge, Justice Never Katiyo, will on Tuesday, January 14, hear an application filed by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights on behalf of the Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT), over the government’s inaction in repairing defective flyovers posing a serious safety risk to residents of the capital city.
The residents filed the application at Harare High Court on February 15, 2024, seeking an order to compel Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona to rectify the defects on three of the city’s flyovers.
The flyovers are located along Simon Mazorodze Road, Lytton Road, and Fidel Castro Road, identified in a report dated July 27, 2012, as well as all other defects within 90 days of the court order to ensure the flyovers are safe for road users.
HRT also wants the High Court to declare that Minister Mhona’s failure to rectify the defects on the three flyovers violates residents’ right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being as enshrined in section 73(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Through the application, submitted by ZLHR’s Tonderai Bhatasara, HRT, along with Loreen Mupesa, a resident of Harare who frequently uses the roads on the flyovers, argued that as the official responsible for road maintenance and rehabilitation in Zimbabwe, Minister Mhona must safeguard people’s lives by ensuring roads are safe.
HRT and Mupesa protested that Minister Mhona had not addressed the defects, noted several years ago, exposing the flyovers to the risk of collapse and endangering public safety.
They argued that with each passing day, the flyovers became increasingly dangerous and unsafe to use.
According to HRT and Mupesa, the defects on the three flyovers were identified by officials from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the City of Harare during a joint inspection, contained in a report produced on July 27, 2012.
The report listed defects such as spalling of concrete on bottom flanges of beams, severe corrosion to reinforcement steel, visible cracks along the centerline deck, severely damaged expansion joints, excessive vibration of the superstructure, poor drainage, water leaking on expansion joints, and longitudinal cracks.
HRT and Mupesa noted that while Minister Mhona’s ministry acknowledged the existence of the defects in 2021 and undertook to rectify them, the defects remain unfixed, compelling residents to seek the High Court’s intervention to eliminate the danger posed to motorists and other road users.
 
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Residents in Harare are worried about dangerous flyovers. They want the government to fix them to keep people safe. The residents went to court to get the government to act. They say the flyovers have many problems like cracks and corrosion. The government promised to fix them before, but they didn't. Now, the residents are asking the court to make the government fix the flyovers. They want everything done in 90 days to keep everyone safe. The court will hear the case soon to decide what to do.

Harare Residents Sue Government Over Unsafe Flyovers

Namatai Kwekweza, a prominent pro-democracy campaigner, has demanded the Registrar-General (RG) replace her defaced national identity card after Civil Registry Department officials refused to do so, citing her inclusion on a so-called “Stop List.”
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), on 30 October 2024, Kwekweza was informed that she could not receive a new ID because she was allegedly on a “Stop List,” which is typically related to security issues, ongoing investigations, or pending court cases. This decision was reportedly linked to a 2020 criminal case in which she was accused.
Kwekweza engaged her lawyers, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Kelvin Kabaya of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who on 14 November 2024 sent a letter of demand to the Registrar-General, Henry Machiri, protesting the refusal.
The lawyers argued that the refusal to replace Kwekweza’s ID violated her constitutional right to possess a national identity card, guaranteed under Section 35(3)(c) of the Zimbabwean Constitution.
They said every Zimbabwean citizen is entitled to an ID, regardless of any pending criminal charges.
The lawyers pointed out that the criminal case against Kwekweza, stemming from allegations in 2020, had been dropped in 2021 after she was acquitted at the close of the prosecution’s case. Therefore, they argued that the reasons for her inclusion on the “Stop List” were no longer valid.
The lawyers set a 48-hour deadline for Machiri to allow Kwekweza to replace her national identity card. They warned that failure to comply would result in legal action against him, with the RG personally bearing the costs of any litigation due to the lack of legal justification for the refusal.
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A lady named Namatai Kwekweza wanted to get a new ID card in Zimbabwe, but officials said no because she was on a "Stop List" since 2020. She was upset and got her lawyers to help her. Her lawyers said she had the right to have an ID card, even if she had past criminal charges. Her lawyers gave a deadline to the officials to let her get a new ID, or else they would take legal action. The criminal charges against her were dropped in 2021 so there was no reason for her to still be on the "Stop List."

Kwekweza Threatens Legal Action After Civil Registry Refused To Replace National ID

A Zimbabwean court on Monday, November 18, ordered the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to return electronic gadgets, including mobile phones and laptops, that had been unlawfully confiscated from three prominent pro-democracy campaigners.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the three pro-democracy campaigners namely Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere and Samuel Gwenzi were on Wednesday 31 July 2024 seized from a plane in Harare in July and tortured before being prosecuted on charges of disorderly conduct in a public place.
They had boarded at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare, while on their way to attend a conference in Victoria Falls. Said ZLHR:
<blockquote>
Kwekweza, the leader of WeLead Trust, Chere, the Secretary-General of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and Gwenzi, a former Councillor for Ward 5 in Harare, were charged with disorderly conduct in a public place as defined in section 41(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and accused of allegedly participating in an unsanctioned demonstration reportedly held at Harare Magistrates Court in June, where they protested against the detention of Citizens Coalition for Change political party leader Jameson Timba and some of the opposition party members and demanding their release from prison.
The trio, who are out of prison custody on bail and are represented by Jeremiah Bamu, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Kelvin Kabaya of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, recently filed an application at Harare Magistrates Court, where they asked the court to order ZRP to release their mobile phone handsets and laptops, arguing that their electronic gadgets were being unlawfully held by ZRP as according to prosecutors, the seized devices, were not required to be used during their trial.
On Monday 18 November 2024, a Harare Magistrate ordered ZRP to release and return Kwekweza, Chere and Gwenzi’s mobile phone handsets and laptops.
Kwekweza, Chere and Gwenzi together with Vusumuzi Moyo, Phillies Pikitayi, Dephine Gutsa, Simbarashe Blackson, Emmanuel Sitima and Last Chinodya, return to court on 9 December, where a ruling on their application for exception to the charges of disorderly conduct, will be handed down.
</blockquote>
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A court in Zimbabwe told the police to give back phones and computers taken from three activists. The activists were arrested after a protest. The activists asked for their things back, saying they didn't need them for the trial. The court agreed and said the police must return the items. The activists will find out in December if they will still be charged. The activists are out of jail now, but will have to go back to court soon.

Court Orders ZRP To Return Seized Gadgets Of Pro-Democracy Activists

The Zimbabwe High Court has declared that section 8(1) of the Immigration Act, which allowed immigration officers to detain foreigners suspected of committing crimes for up to 14 days without judicial oversight, is unconstitutional and invalid.
On November 12, 2024, Justice Christopher Dube-Banda ruled that section 8(1) violated section 50(2)(b) of the Constitution, which ensures the right to be brought before a court within 48 hours of detention. The ruling emphasized that this provision infringed upon human rights, including liberty, dignity, and freedom.
This case was brought to the court by Tatenda Chakabva, a resident of Harare, with the support of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
Chakabva argued that the provision allowed for arbitrary detention, which undermined constitutional rights and international treaties ratified by Zimbabwe, such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
He was represented by lawyers Brighton Sadowero, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa, and Kelvin Kabaya.
Chakabva filed the application on May 28, 2024, seeking to have section 8(1) declared inconsistent with the Constitution.
He contended that it authorised immigration officers to detain suspects for up to 14 days without judicial oversight, violating the mandatory requirement that any arrested or detained person be brought to court within 48 hours.
The Chief Immigration Officer opposed the application, arguing that the provision was necessary to combat transnational crimes such as terrorism and human trafficking, justifying extended detention without judicial review.
Justice Dube-Banda disagreed, stating that judicial oversight is essential to protect the rights of detainees and ensure that continued detention is lawful. He emphasized that arbitrary detention without court oversight is unlawful and undermines the rule of law.
This ruling aligns with international and regional conventions, which require prompt judicial review of detention, and affirms that Zimbabwe’s immigration authorities cannot authorize prolonged detention without judicial review.
The High Court’s ruling is subject to confirmation by Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court.
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The Zimbabwe High Court said a law allowing immigration officers to hold suspects without court oversight for 14 days is wrong. The Court agreed with a man named Tatenda Chakabva that the law violates people's rights. Chakabva went to court with help from lawyers because he thinks the law allowed unfair detention. The Court said it's important for a judge to check if someone should stay in custody. They said this is also important in international rules. The ruling is not final and needs another court to confirm it. The ruling aims to protect people's rights and make sure they are treated fairly.

High Court Strikes Down Unconstitutional Provision Of Immigration Act

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has paid over ZWG140,000 to Amos Siska, a Gweru resident and victim of police brutality.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), in April 2020, during the enforcement of government-imposed national lockdown regulations, ZRP officers severely assaulted Siska while he was queuing at Stanbic Bank in Gweru.
Siska was assaulted with truncheons, booted feet, and open hands, resulting in serious injuries, including a fractured arm.
Following the assault, Siska engaged Reginald Chidawanyika from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights to sue ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe for damages related to shock, pain, suffering, and medical expenses.
After a full trial in April 2022, Gweru Provincial Magistrate Miriam Banda ordered Matanga and Kazembe to compensate Siska for the damages resulting from the police assault.
Instead of complying with the court order promptly, Matanga and Kazembe delayed payment, prompting Siska’s lawyer to initiate contempt of court proceedings.
Recently, Kazembe and Matanga finally complied with the court order and paid ZWG143,368 to Siska as compensation for the violation of his rights due to police brutality.
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A man in Gweru, Zimbabwe got hurt by the police during lockdown. They hit him and broke his arm. He asked for money to pay for the pain and medical bills. The police at first did not give him the money. Finally, after some time, they paid him ZWG143,368. He received the money for the harm caused by the police. This shows that sometimes when people do wrong things, they have to make it right by giving money to those they hurt.

Gweru Man Receives Over ZWG140,000 Compensation After Assault By Police During Lockdown

The High Court of Zimbabwe has convicted Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo and Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Frederick Shava, for unlawfully borrowing over ZWG200 million from critical funds without prior approval from the Treasury.
The ministers were sued by Marvellous Kumalo, a former opposition legislator, who accused them of violating the Public Finance Management (Treasury Instructions), 2019, and the Constitution.
Kumalo argued that the ministers borrowed money from several government funds intended for the welfare of vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and skilled workers, without seeking the necessary Treasury approval.
The application was filed on September 24, 2024, at the Harare High Court, with Kumalo represented by Tonderai Bhatasara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. He claimed that the ministers’ actions violated principles of transparency and accountability.
The borrowings, which occurred between 2019 and 2023, were detailed in the 2023 Auditor-General’s Report, highlighting the ministers’ disregard for legal procedures.
On October 18, 2024, Justice Gladys Mhuri ordered both ministers to reimburse ZWG206,370,840 to the relevant funds within three months.
Moyo was ordered to repay ZWL$515,657,986 from the Sustainable Livelihoods Fund, ZWL$3,544,915 from the Child Welfare Fund, and ZWL$153,468 from the Older Persons Fund.
Shava was ordered to repay ZWL$5,250 from the Industrial Training and Trade Testing Fund and ZWL$2,123,558 from the Skilled Manpower Trade Testing and Certification Fund.
The court also mandated both ministers to seek Treasury authorisation for all previously borrowed amounts within 60 days of the ruling.
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Two ministers in Zimbabwe, July Moyo and Frederick Shava, used over ZWG200 million from important funds without permission, breaking the law. A former opposition member sued them for going against financial rules in 2019 and the Constitution. The ministers took money meant for helping vulnerable people without asking first. On October 18, 2024, the High Court ordered them to pay back the money they borrowed within three months. Moyo owes different funds money, while Shava owes money from specific funds too. They also have to get permission for all past borrowings within 60 days.

High Court Orders Ministers July Moyo And Frederick Shava To Repay ZiG200 Million In Unapproved Loans

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has condemned the passage of the controversial Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill (H.B.2A, 2024) by the Senate on October 17, 2024.
The government initially gazetted the PVO Amendment Bill on March 1, 2024. This Bill aims to amend the Private Voluntary Organisations Act.
The current amendment follows the lapse of the 2021 PVO Amendment Bill, which the President did not assent to, citing reservations. Said the ZLHR:
<blockquote>
In an alarming move, the Senate fast-tracked and passed the PVO Amendment Bill at supersonic speed on 17 October 2024.
The contents of the PVO Bill passed by the Senate remain elusive as there was no clause-by-clause reading captured in the Hansard.
This Bill has now passed parliament houses despite the flawed consultation and public hearing processes marred with violence.
The passing of the PVO Amendment Bill by the Senate will allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to sign it.
ZLHR is seriously concerned at the whirlwind speed of deliberations in the Senate House, which took place without much debate and scrutiny.
</blockquote>
The ZLHR expressed shock that, despite the concerns of some local civil society organisations (CSOs), citizens, and regional and international bodies, both Houses of Parliament have passed the Bill. Said ZLHR:
<blockquote>
ZLHR is shocked that even in light of unequivocal and genuine misgivings by a significant segment of local civil society organisations (CSOs), citizens and regional and international organisations and bodies, such as the United Nations Special Procedures, about the PVO Amendment Bill’s contravention of national, regional, and global standards of freedom of association, the harmful law, which tramples upon human rights, was expedited through Parliament.
The March 2024 version is a replica of the November 2021, albeit with more stringent repressive provisions.
The passage of the PVO Amendment Bill by the Senate, compounded by its enactment into law and its destructive effect on civil society, presents a significant setback in the country’s commitment to human rights and will place Zimbabwe in contravention of its human rights obligations, notably on freedom of association.
</blockquote>
According to the ZLHR, the PVO Amendment Bill negatively impacts CSOs, potentially leading to the closure of civic space, which has been diminishing since August 2018.
The Bill legitimizes excessive executive interference in CSO operations and criminalizes their activities, undermining freedom of association and centralizing executive power over the registration of PVOs through the Registrar’s Office.
The human rights lawyers argued that the Bill contravenes Zimbabwe’s international commitments to uphold the right to freedom of association and ignores the guidelines of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The Bill threatens the ability of civil society to operate freely, which is crucial for protecting human rights and providing essential services, thereby contributing positively to the economy.
The ZLHR said the Minister of Justice claims the Bill responds to FATF Recommendations aimed at combating illicit financial flows, but this justification is seen as a pretext for restricting civic space.
The ZLHR further argued that the FATF’s revised Recommendation 8, intended to protect NPOs from terrorist financing abuse, is being misapplied by the Zimbabwean government to justify restrictive measures against CSOs.
The human rights lawyers have urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the government to reject the Bill, aligning with the wishes of the majority of Zimbabwean citizens and respecting their aspirations for civic freedom.
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The Senate passed a controversial Bill on October 17, 2024, which aims to change the way Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) operate in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) are not happy about it. They feel the Bill was rushed through without proper discussion and consultation. The ZLHR believes the Bill will limit the freedom of organizations that help people and could even lead to their closure. They are asking President Mnangagwa to reject the Bill and listen to the concerns of the people who want to keep their freedom to help others.

Senate Passes Controversial PVO Amendment Bill

A Mutare resident, Ebson Tembenuka, has regained possession of his home after a judicial officer intervened against the City of Mutare’s (CoM) attempts to evict him.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Tembenuka, a 56-year-old self-employed man from Sakubva, was forcibly evicted by CoM municipal police officers on September 17, 2024, who locked him out of his residence.
Tembenuka has been peacefully residing in his home since June 2012 under a valid lease agreement with CoM.
On August 16, 2024, Tembenuka received a notice from CoM about alleged rental arrears of US$128 and was invited to contest the claim. He submitted his objections to the Finance Department on August 30, 2024. Said ZLHR:
<blockquote>
Despite the engagement, which he had with CoM’s officials, Tembenuka was surprised to be ambushed by the local authority’s municipal police officers, who forcefully removed him from the house and locked the door to his house.
While he had pleaded with CoM’s municipal police officers to allow him access to some of his personal belongings and items, the employees insisted that he should visit the local authority’s offices to explain himself as they were only carrying out instructions.
After failing to obtain relief through engaging CoM officials, Tembenuka then sought the services of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, whose lawyer Tatenda Sigauke, filed an ex-parte application at Mutare Magistrates Court on 18 September 2024 seeking an order to compel CoM to remove its locks and to restore the resident’s occupation and possession of the house.
</blockquote>
During court proceedings, Tembenuka argued that the eviction violated his constitutional rights against arbitrary eviction, as the CoM did not possess a court order to justify their actions.

On October 1, 2024, Magistrate Purity Gumbo ordered CoM to remove the locks from Tembenuka’s property and restore his access, and not to evict him without following due process of the law.
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A man in Mutare named Ebson Tembenuka got his house back after the council tried to kick him out illegally. He had a lease agreement with the council but they said he owed money. Even though he tried to explain, they still locked him out. He asked for help from lawyers who went to court. The judge said the council had to give his house back and couldn't do that again without a good reason. In the end, he won and got his home back from the council.

Mutare Resident Regains Home After Court Thwarts Illegal Eviction By Council

The High Court has ordered some miners to cease alluvial mining operations in Penhalonga, Manicaland province, following a challenge by residents aimed at protecting the environment.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), on September 21, 2024, three residents—Peter Dengure Maneswa, Blessing Tafadzwa Chigova, and Treasure Maziti—filed an urgent application at the Mutare High Court against miners Kainos Mhandu and Edson Rainford.
The residents, who were represented by Calexy Maunga and Tatenda Sigauke of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, argued that the miners’ activities violated environmental laws, increasing the risk of flash floods during the upcoming rainy season.
The miners were accused of unlawfully occupying the banks of the Mutare River and conducting operations with two excavators without necessary licenses or authority.
The residents claimed the mining operations infringed on their constitutional rights to property and a safe environment, as their properties border the river.
The mining activities were deemed unlawful due to the absence of lawful authorisation from the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife and were being done without securing an Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate, thereby violating the Environmental Management (Control of Alluvial Mining) Regulations, 2014 and the Environmental Management (Control of Alluvial Mining) Amendment Regulations, 2021.
On September 23, 2024, High Court Judge Justice Isaac Muzenda ordered the immediate removal of mining equipment from the Mutare River and prohibited any further mining operations in the area.
The High Court Judge ruled that if the miners failed to comply with the order, the Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff could take necessary actions, including involving the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
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The High Court told miners to stop mining in Penhalonga to protect the environment. Residents filed a case against miners Kainos Mhandu and Edson Rainford, saying they broke laws and risked floods. The miners were operating without licenses and were on the river banks illegally. The residents said their rights were violated. The judge said stop mining or face police action. Mining was stopped until proper permissions were obtained. Residents and lawyers fought to keep the area safe and peaceful.

High Court Orders Miners To Stop Alluvial Mining In Penhalonga

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has condemned the actions of the country’s law enforcement following the arrest of Tom Ssekamwa, a 24-year-old Ugandan citizen, and Lukas Slavia, a 37-year-old citizen of the Czech Republic, in Masvingo earlier this month.
In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, the ZLHR condemned the arrests, describing the charges of criminal nuisance and violations of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act as baseless.
Both Slavia and Ssekamwa were acquitted by the courts. Slavia was “escorted” out of Zimbabwe by immigration authorities from Masvingo Remand Prison to Robert Mugabe International Airport on August 24, while Ssekamwa awaits a similar outcome. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwean authorities have been left abashed after a Masvingo court ended the 3-week detention of 2 tourists, who were arrested by ZRP early in August, by acquitting them of spurious charges of criminal nuisance and contravening the country’s Censorship and Entertainment Control Act.
Tom Ssekamwa, a 24-year-old Ugandan citizen, had been on trial at Masvingo Magistrates Court, after he was arrested on 1 August by ZRP officers and charged with contravening section 26(1)(a) of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act.
During trial, which was presided over by Masvingo Magistrate Isaac Chikura, prosecutors claimed and accused the Ugandan national of unlawfully being in possession of an artificial penis, Dulex real feel 50ml tub and climax for men in his bag, an article which prosecutors said is prohibited from being possessed by anyone.
Apart from answering to charges of contravening section 26(1)(a) of the Censorship &amp; Entertainment Control Act, Ssekamwa was also charged with criminal nuisance as defined in section 46 of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors alleged that the Ugandan citizen unlawfully held in his possession an artificial Dulex real feel 50ml tub ad climax for men in his bag, which are all prohibited items.
They claimed that ZRP officers, who conducted a search on Ssekamwa’s room at Backpackers Rest Budget in Masvingo recovered the alleged offensive items in his bag and stated that the tourist’s conduct was unlawful.
But on Monday 26 August 2024, Magistrate Chikura acquitted Ssekamwa after ruling that he had not committed any offence as had been alleged by ZRP officers and prosecutors.
Magistrate Chikura ruled that prosecutors had failed to follow mandatory procedures provided in the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act, which required the state to obtain a Certificate of Authority to Prosecute issued by the Prosecutor-General or the Deputy Prosecutor-General in terms of the law.
The Magistrate stated that the state should have first satisfied the requirement that there is an existence of a government gazette, which gazetted artificial penis as a prohibited item in Zimbabwe.
Earlier on, Magistrate Chikura on Friday 23 August also acquitted Lukas Slavia, a 37-year-old Czech Republic citizen, who had been on trial after he was arrested together with Ssekamwa on 1 August by ZRP officers and charged with publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state as defined in section 31(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act or alternatively with criminal nuisance as defined in section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification &amp; Reform) Act.
During trial, prosecutors told Magistrate Chikura that the Czech national, recorded a video clip of some mourners while stating and lamenting water shortages and electricity outages in Masvingo province.
Prosecutors later dropped charges of publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state and proceeded with his trial on criminal nuisance charges.
But Slavia, who was represented by Knowledge Mabvuure of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), was acquitted by Magistrate Chikura on 23 August, who ruled that the alleged video clip recorded by the tourist was not offensive and did not constitute a criminal act but was just a factual narration of issues obtaining on the ground.
Slavia, Magistrate Chikura ruled, did not interfere with the public, when he allegedly recorded the video clip.
On 24 August, Slavia was “escorted” out of Zimbabwe by immigration authorities from Masvingo Remand Prison to Robert Mugabe International Airport, for him to leave the country.
The same fate awaits Ssekamwa too, who on Wednesday 28 August, was being driven from Masvingo Remand Prison to Robert Mugabe International Airport, for him to leave Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
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Zimbabwean Human Rights Lawyers are mad about the arrests of tourists from Uganda and the Czech Republic. The tourists were charged with silly offenses but were later found innocent by the court. The police did not follow the correct rules when arresting them. The tourists were claimed to have done bad things, but the court said they didn't do anything wrong. The tourists were taken out of Zimbabwe by immigration officials and were told to leave the country. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights helped the tourists in their cases.

Zimbabwean Human Rights Lawyers Condemn Arrests Of Ugandan And Czech Citizens

The Greater Hwange Residents Trust and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) workers have petitioned the Matabeleland North provincial Environmental Management Agency (EMA) seeking the release of information regarding the pollution from Hwange Thermal Power Station of Ingagula township, which is located close to the power plant, reported the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200028795/residents-petition-ema-over-hwange-air-pollution">Southern Eye</a>.
They petitioned EMA through the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and handed the petition to the EMA provincial manager Chipo Mpofu-Zuze.
According to human rights lawyers, the Ingagula township is situated close to a recently expanded thermal power station, posing a potential health risk to residents. Reads the petition:
<blockquote>
Our clients advise that since the commissioning of the two units, air quality levels in Ingagula township and the surrounding areas have deteriorated and there are growing cases of poor health being caused by air pollution from the emissions of the power generating stations.
Our clients are concerned that the right of the residents to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being in terms of section 73(1)(a) of the Constitution is being violated.
</blockquote>
The ZLHR further stated that EMA must ensure that an operation of the size of the expanded power plant (whose installed capacity is 600MW) will not harm the environment and the communities residing in the particular area before it commences. Reads the petition:
<blockquote>
In terms of the law, we are aware that for any operations of such magnitude to commence, in any area in Zimbabwe, your office is supposed to be informed and plays a crucial role as a regulatory authority in assessing and determining whether such an operation should commence and to ensure that the operation will not in any way harm the environment and the communities residing in the particular area.
We advise that our clients have the right to environmental information in terms of section 4(b) of the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27]. As such, we have been instructed as we hereby do to request that you furnish us within seven days of your receipt of this letter the environmental impact assessment report concluded prior to the completion of Units 7 and 8, the conditions on the permitted emissions in the emissions licence for the power station issued in terms of sections 64 and 65 of the Act.
</blockquote>
The ZLHR requested that EMA conduct investigations into the air pollution caused by the power generating station. This is per section 63(1)(b) of the relevant Act.
Additionally, the ZLHR requested that the EMA provide them with the most recent ambient air sampling results for Hwange town, with a specific focus on the Ingagula township and surrounding areas.
EMA has yet to respond to the petition.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Hwange Residents Petition EMA Over Thermal Power Plant Pollution

The Department of Immigration has refuted reports that two Egyptian nationals were detained in the country under unclear circumstances before they were freed and allowed to leave the country following the intervention of human rights lawyers.
Last month, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), said that Emad Awny Elgamal and Khaled Fuozi Foudza, who are both male, were arrested by Zimbabwean Immigration officials on 6 March 2024 and arbitrarily detained under opaque circumstances at Harare Remand Prison.
However, an official at the Department, Prosper Kambarami told Pindula News that several claims made by ZLHR are “materially false claims”.
Kambarami said that it is not true that the two Egyptian nationals entered Zimbabwe lawfully and had valid visitor permits, that the Egyptian nationals were arbitrarily detained under opaque circumstances, or that they were released following the intervention of human rights lawyers.
The Department also refuted claims that the Chief Director of Immigration conceded that they were unlawfully detaining the two Egyptians and that they were entitled to their release, or that the matter was removed from the court roll owing to the concessions made by the Chief Director of Immigration.
According to Kambarami, the two Egyptian nationals are fraudsters and entered the country illegally. He said:
<blockquote>
Facts on record are that:
1. The two (2) Egyptian nationals are confirmed fraudsters who entered Zimbabwe using fraudulently acquired Mozambican passports.
2. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), as an organisation was not party to any of the proceedings.
3. The Chief Director of Immigration never made any concession in court that her Department unlawfully detained the two (2) Egyptians.
4. The Urgent Chamber Application HCH 1600/24 was removed from the roll by consent as the court held the view that the order sought was incompetent in that it sought an order of constitutional invalidity through an Urgent Application.
5. Consequently, it was removed from the roll after Sadowera Kuwana Legal Practitioners conceded that their application was improper.
6. In fact, Sadowera Kuwana Legal Practitioners, are now seeking to rectify their error through a fresh High Court application HCH 2321/24 in Tatenda Chakabva vs Chief Immigration Officer filed on 28 May 2024.
7. The two (2) Egyptian nationals were deported from prison, under escort, as prohibited persons, only after confirmation of their actual identities and nationalities.
</blockquote>
In their report, the ZLHR said Elgamal and Foudza were released from prison on 6 April 2024 and their lawyers escorted them to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, where they flew back to Egypt.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Department Of Immigration Says Two Egyptians Deported From Zimbabwe Were Fraudsters

The Harare Magistrates Court has ordered Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri to fork out about US$30,000 in damages to compensate Felix Mafondokoto, a victim of army brutality.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Mafondokoto was shot by a soldier during a clampdown on anti-government protests held five years ago. The ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
Mafondokoto, a 43-year-old resident of Chitungwiza, was shot by ZNA members on 19 January 2019, when soldiers were dispersing people during a clampdown on anti-government protests, which gripped the country as people protested against an arbitrary hike in fuel prices and the agonising economic crisis blamed on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
While Mafondokoto was not participating in the protests, he ended up being admitted in hospital after sustaining injuries from being shot at by a ZNA member.
The Chitungwiza resident, who suffered severe injuries from the shooting and still has some bullet fragments in his body, engaged Kossam Ncube of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who assisted him in suing Sanyatwe and Hon. Muchinguri and demanded to be paid US$49 000 in damages for the violation of his fundamental rights.
In the summons filed at Harare Civil Magistrates Court, Mafondokoto asked the court to order Sanyatwe and Hon. Muchinguri to compensate him for the pain and suffering he endured, nervous shock, loss of earnings and for the medical expenses, which he incurred as he got hospitalised for treatment.
On Monday 20 May 2024, after presiding over a full trial in which Lieutenant Colonel Whatmore Ziweni, the ZNA Operations Chief, testified on behalf of Sanyatwe and Muchinguri, Harare Magistrate Mandlenkosi Ndhlovu ordered the duo to pay US$29 182 to Mafondokoto as compensation for the damages, which he suffered from the brutality perpetrated by soldiers.
</blockquote>
Magistrate Ndhlovu ruled that Mafondokoto suffered severe injuries and endured excruciating pain and suffering and had to undergo various operation procedures.
Magistrate Ndhlovu stated that Mafondokoto now struggles to work for extended periods because of the injuries, he sustained which now impact his livelihood.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chitungwiza Man Shot By Soldiers Gets US$30 000 In Compensation

The Masvingo Magistrates Court has acquitted seven women who were arrested and prosecuted for soliciting for prostitution at Mucheke bus terminus on 17 April 2024.
In its ruling, the court said that prosecutors had failed to bring to court some witnesses, who should have been offering their services to the women allegedly soliciting for sex.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the accused were Tanaka Dzoro (18), Martha Chirume (22), Sharon Mapurisa (21), Fortunate Chauraya (28), Stabile Mpandile (20), Cynthia Chihota (35) and Natasha Siziba (21).
In a statement, the ZLHR said the case exposes the ill-treatment of women as second-class citizens in Zimbabwe.
The 7 women were arrested by the Police who charged them with soliciting for prostitution as defined in section 81 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Said the ZLHR:
<blockquote>
During trial, which commenced on 22 April at Masvingo Magistrates Court, prosecutors alleged that Dzoro, Chirume, Mapurisa, Chauraya, Mpandile, Chihota and Siziba, were arrested by ZRP officers from Chikato Police Station, who included Sergeant Dube and Constable Dzingira when they were indecently dressed while soliciting for sex.
The prosecutors claimed that the 7 women, who were represented by Collen Maboke of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, had no right to act in the manner that they allegedly did.
However, Masvingo Magistrate Mudzingo on 29 April acquitted Dzoro, Chirume, Mapurisa, Chauraya, Mpandile, Chihota &amp; Siziba at the close of the prosecution case after finding them not guilty of committing the alleged offence of soliciting.
Magistrate Mudzingo ruled that there were several inconsistencies in the testimony of ZRP officers, who testified as state witnesses during trial &amp; that prosecutors had failed to bring to court some witnesses, who should have been offering their services to the women allegedly soliciting for sex.
In intervening to assist the 7 women, ZLHR felt that their arrest by ZRP officers, was discriminatory as it only targeted women because of their gender.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Court Acquits 7 Women Arrested For Prostitution, Highlights Absence Of The Sex Workers' Clients

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has forked out ZiG132 889, which is about US$10 000, to a 21-year-old man, as compensation for damages, after he was electrocuted 2 years ago and sustained severe electrical burns owing to gross negligence by the State-run power utility.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Dumisani Chikosi, who resides in Tonhodzai village in Chiadzwa in Manicaland Province, was electrocuted by some electricity cables that were hanging close to the ground in January 2022 while walking home in the company of four other people.
As a result of the electrocution, Chikosi suffered severe burns all over his body and permanent and irreversible injuries.
Chikosi, who was a teenager at the time that he was electrocuted, went on to spend 80 days at Murambi Garden Clinic in Mutare, where he received treatment. Added ZLHR:
<blockquote>
While in hospital, ZESA Holdings through its subsidiary, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), paid for his medical expenses although it was not forthcoming with respect to paying him compensation for the damages, he suffered.
This then compelled Chikosi to engage Peggy Tavagadza and Tatenda Sigauke of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights who in December 2022 wrote a letter of demand to ZETDC Eastern Region offices claiming US$20 000 in damages.
In their letter to ZETDC, Tavagadza and Sigauke told the electricity generating company that it was liable for the unfortunate accident, which was caused by negligence on the part of its employees, who neglectfully failed to secure electrical cables in a residential area, thereby endangering people.
</blockquote>
The human rights lawyers said in response to the letter, Cell Insurance, who are ZETDC’s insurers offered a settlement of US$10 000, which Chikosi accepted.
However, ZETDC vacillated and failed to honour its obligations in respect of the offer of settlement, which it had made. Said ZLHR:
<blockquote>
This prompted Tavagadza and Sigauke to file a summons at Mutare Magistrates Court on 5 April 2024 seeking an order to enforce payment from ZETDC.
While the matter was yet to be set down for hearing in court, ZETDC immediately made a payment amounting to ZiG132 889, which translates to about US$10 000 to Chikosi, as compensation for the damages, which he suffered from the electrocution. Resultantly, Chikosi withdrew the summons after ZETDC paid him compensation.
ZLHR intervened in assisting the minor child as part of its anti-impunity strategies to foster accountability at the country’s supplier of electricity and to deter and discourage acts of human rights violations by state-run institutions.
Over the years, ZLHR has intervened in similar cases of ZESA Holdings’ negligence by suing and obtaining orders for payment of damages on behalf of several victims.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Pays US$10 000 In Damages To Man Electrocuted By Hanging Electricity Cables

Harare Civil Court Magistrate Tamara Chibindi has convicted Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri and Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe for the brutal assault of Muchademba Muponde by soldiers in 2019.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Chibindi on Wednesday, April 10, ordered Muchinguri and Sanyatwe to pay Muponde, a Harare resident, ZiG41 633 as compensation for the ill-treatment which he endured at the hands of soldiers on 16 January 2019.
The soldiers had been deployed to suppress countrywide anti-government protests which were held in response to a unilateral government increase in fuel prices and worsening standards of living. The ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
Muponde was assaulted by soldiers as he accompanied his grandfather to buy a chicken at Glenview 1 Shopping Centre in Harare, where he saw a group of soldiers chasing people around and he also began to flee.
One of the soldiers, who was brandishing a gun, spotted him and gave chase and caught him before assaulting him on the back of his body and neck using the back of the firearm.
Muponde started bleeding when the soldier hit him on the back of his head and ran to hide at a nearby homestead.
But the soldier followed him and continued assaulting him using the back of the gun at the homestead. At one point, the soldier even lifted his gun threatening to shoot him.
Muponde sustained serious injuries on both legs including internal injuries on his left leg as a result of the assault and he could not walk.
The soldier continued beating him and only stopped after seeing the severity of the injuries sustained by Muponde and instructed him to wash the blood off his face.
Muponde then engaged Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who in 2019 sued Hon. Muchinguri and Sanyatwe claiming payment of damages for pain and suffering, nervous shock, contumelia, affront to dignity and humiliation.
During trial, which began in February 2024 at Harare Civil Magistrates Court, Hon. Muchinguri and Sanyatwe vainly argued that the soldiers, who assaulted Muponde were not under the control of the ZNA Commander but of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, as they had been deployed to assist the law enforcement agents in restoring law and order.
Out of the ZiG41 000, Magistrate Chibindi said ZiG20 816 will be damages for pain, suffering, trauma and nervous shock, which was suffered by Muponde while ZiG20 816 will be damages for affront to dignity, humiliation and embarrassment caused to the Harare resident.
Hon. Muchinguri and Sanyatwe were also ordered to pay interest on the total amount of damages from 2019 until the date when they will make the payment to Muponde.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Defence Minister, Army Boss Ordered To Pay ZiG40 000 To A Man Assaulted By Soldiers

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has secured the release of five villagers among them a pregnant woman, and a 3-year-old toddler, who had been arrested for disorderly conduct in a public place.
ZLHR said Jennifer Sithole (58) and her 3-year-old toddler grandchild, Esther Kuseri, who was pregnant, Tafirenyika Boterere, Shadreck Manyange, Brighton Manyange and Noel Chikosa, were detained at Ruda Police Station in Honde Valley.
 The villagers were arrested on Wednesday last week for allegedly protesting against maladministration by some school authorities at Sagambe Primary School. The ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
We have rescued a toddler and a pregnant woman, whom [the police] had detained together with some aggrieved villagers, who were charged for allegedly protesting against maladministration by some school authorities in Honde Valley.
On Wednesday, the police detained a 3-year-old toddler at Ruda Police Station in Honde Valley, together with Jennifer Sithole, the baby’s 58-year-old grandmother and Esther Kuseri, who was pregnant and four other villagers, who reside in Sagambe village in Mutasa District in Manicaland Province and charged them with disorderly conduct in a public place as defined in section 41 of Criminal Code.
The ZRP officers accused Kuseri, Sithole and 4 other villagers namely Tafirenyika Boterere, Shadreck Manyange, Brighton Manyange and Noel Chikosa of masterminding a protest against Evans Mwaturura, the school head at Sagambe Primary School, who stands accused by some parents and guardians of presiding over maladministration at the school.
The villagers were also accused of stopping school children from attending lessons at Sagambe Primary School. The allegations of maladministration had been raised during a School Development Committee (SDC) annual general meeting, which was held at Sagambe Primary School, where some parents intended to raise several concerns against Mwaturura.
The disgruntled parents had sought to engage officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and eventually, a meeting was held with officials from the ministry in the presence of some ZRP officers from Ruda Police Station.
Kuseri was arrested during the meeting for allegedly raising her voice against an official at the consultation.
She was released from Ruda Police Station on Thursday after she paid an admission of guilt fine for disorderly conduct in a public place for contravening section 41 of the Criminal Code, following the intervention of human rights lawyer Tatenda Sigauke of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Kuseri opted to pay an admission of guilt fine for disorderly conduct in a public place because she was pregnant and the conditions of police detention were making her uncomfortable and she was not comfortable with the inconvenience of court processes considering her condition.
Chikosa who is the former SDC Chairperson at Sagambe Primary School, was separately charged with contravening section 37 of the Criminal Code for allegedly participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotryChikosa was accused of being the one who had written a list of grievances levelled against Mwaturura, which had been presented at the meeting with officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The three-year-old toddler and Sithole, Boterere, Manyange, Chikosa and Manyange, were only set free following the intervention of Sigauke on Friday at Mutasa Magistrates Court, where they had been hauled for their initial appearance.
Sigauke successfully argued with prosecutors from the National Prosecuting Authority against the placement of the villagers on remand and requested that they be released immediately. Prosecutors were left with no option but to assent to Sigauke’s request and this led to the release of the 5 villagers including the three-year-old toddler.
Prosecutors stated that they would resort to summoning the villagers if they were to consider prosecuting them.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Toddler, Pregnant Woman Among Villagers Detained For Disorderly Conduct

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) lawyers are representing hundreds of villagers across the country who have been evicted from their ancestral land by the Government for allegedly occupying gazetted land without lawful authority.
Some of the villagers have been in occupation of their land for more than 40 years and made tremendous improvements to their land.
Under the ongoing “No To Land Barons and Illegal Settlements on Land” operation launched by the Goverment this year, more than 2 700 people have been arrested. The ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
Across Zimbabwe, we are representing hundreds of distressed villagers, who are accused of illegally occupying their ancestral land.
In Chipinge in Manicaland province, our lawyer [Tariro Tazvitya], is representing 327 villagers, who reside in Mahachi village and are accused of illegally occupying Mahachi village.
Of the 327 villagers, 80 of them reside in Munyokowere village and are accused of illegally occupying Munyokowere village.
In Masvingo Province, we have filed an appeal at Masvingo Magistrates Court seeking to suspend an order for the eviction of some villagers from their ancestral land.
The villagers were recently convicted of occupying gazetted land without lawful authority as defined in section 3(1) of the Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act by Masvingo Magistrate Ivy Jawona and sentenced to serve three months in prison, which was wholly suspended.
In addition, Magistrate Jawona ordered the villagers to vacate their land within 7 days. Now, the villagers, who are represented by Phillip Shumba of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, have asked the Masvingo Magistrates Court to stay their eviction pending the determination of their appeal against both conviction and sentence by the Masvingo High Court.
The villagers filed the appeal at Masvingo High Court on 9 February 2024 challenging their conviction and sentence by Magistrate Jawona.
In the appeal, the villagers argue that Magistrate Jawona erred and misdirected herself in convicting and sentencing the villagers for illegally occupying gazetted land as some of them have been in occupation of their land for more than 40 years and had effected tremendous improvements to their land.
The villagers want the High Court to overturn their conviction and set aside their sentence and refer their matter to the Constitutional Court for a determination of the constitutionality of their eviction.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Human Rights Lawyers Challenge Eviction Of Villagers From Ancestral Lands

The Chogugudza Primary School school head in Domboshava was forced to reverse his decision to expel a female Grade 7 learner for refusing to shave her long hair in line with the school’s policy after the intervention of human rights lawyers.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the 12-year-old pupil is a member of the African Apostolic Faith Mission church, whose doctrine states that female members must not shave their hair as a means of expressing their beliefs and religion.
ZLHR lawyer, Kelvin Kabaya wrote to the school authorities advising them that by expelling, the juvenile, they had violated her right to freedom of thought, opinion, religion and belief, and her right to education guaranteed in the Constitution.
Kabaya gave Chogugudza Primary School 24 hours to reverse the decision to expel the Grade 7 learner for wearing long hair. The school promptly readmitted her and she is now attending lessons. Below is an account of the matter shared by ZLHR:
<blockquote>
We are satisfied to be retreating for the weekend after assisting a 12-year-old pupil to be re-admitted and be able to attend lessons at Chogugudza Primary School after she had been chased away for wearing long hair, a practice, which was deemed to be against the school’s regulations.
The school head at Chogugudza Primary School in Domboshava identified as T Phiri, had on 9 January barred the minor child from attending her school lessons because she had not shaved her natural hair.
Furthermore and on several occasions, the school authorities continued to bar the pupil from attending her school lessons for the same reason of wearing long hair.
This was notwithstanding the fact that she is currently reading for her Grade Seven final examinations scheduled for the end of the year.
Prior to implementing this drastic measure, the pupil, who is enrolled as a Grade 7 student, had attended her school lessons without any hindrances from the school administration.
The minor child’s parents then engaged [Kelvin Kabaya] of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights who on 5 February wrote a letter to the school authorities complaining about their conduct in denying the pupil entry into the school premises because of her religious beliefs, which require her to wear long hair.
In the letter, which was also copied to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Kabaya lamented that attempts by the pupil’s parents to engage the school authorities and allow the 12-year-old child to attend lessons had been futile as they insisted that she should shave her natural hair as a pre-condition to being accepted back to school hence she has not been attending lessons since then.
In the attempts to engage the school authorities, the parents specifically highlighted some pertinent issues stating that the pupil and her family were devout members of the African Apostolic Faith Mission church, and in terms of the doctrine of the church, female members must not shave their hair as a means of expressing their beliefs and religion, alone and together with other members of the church.
Kabaya charged that the school authorities’ conduct of barring the pupil from attending her lessons was a clear violation of several of her constitutional rights, more particularly, the right to freedom of thought, opinion, religion and belief guaranteed in section 60(1)(a) of the Constitution, the freedom to practice and propagate and give expression to their thought, opinion, religion or belief, whether in public or in private and whether alone or together with others provided for in section 60(1)(b) of the Constitution.
The human rights lawyer also protested that the authorities had violated the pupil’s right to education guaranteed in section 75 of the Constitution and that her fundamental right not to be discriminated against by imposition of onerous terms and conditions and by being excluded or expelled from school, on the grounds of her opinion or religious belief as provided for under section 4(2)(b) of the Education Amendment Act, 2020 had also been breached.
Kabaya then gave the school authorities a 24-hour ultimatum to admit the minor child back to school and to allow her to attend lessons in an ordinary manner, failure of which he would institute legal action against them.
After the delivery of the letter, the school authorities immediately allowed the pupil to attend lessons after Phiri relented on his hard-line stance.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

School Expels Female Grade Seven Learner For Wearing Long Hair

A Bulawayo magistrate has ordered a police officer to pay US$10 000 in damages to compensate a man who was unlawfully arrested and arbitrarily detained over a bilateral contractual dispute.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said Joseph Tambu, the Director of Prod Software Enterprises, was arrested by Shingirai Givemore Mayimbo, a police officer at the height of the coronavirus crisis.
Tambu spent two nights in police custody before he was released without being formally charged and being taken to court. The ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
In Bulawayo, a police officer has been ordered to fork out US$10 000 in damages to compensate a man, who was unlawfully arrested and arbitrarily detained by law enforcement agents over a bilateral contractual dispute.
Joseph Tambu, the Director of Prod Software Enterprises, was arrested by Shingirai Givemore Mayimbo, Zimbabwe Republic Police officer, on 15 June 2021 after he voluntarily appeared at Bulawayo Central Police Station, where he had been summoned to appear to answer questions concerning the delivery of a camera.
Tambu had been summoned to answer questions related to the terms of a contract of sale concluded by him in his capacity as a Director of Prod Software Enterprises and Gwanda State University, represented by Sifundo Ntini, the university’s Procurement Officer.
After presenting himself at Bulawayo Central Police Station, Tambu was quizzed on the delivery of the camera, where he provided a detailed explanation of the reason for the delay of the supply of the camera, which Mayimbo did not accept and proceeded to detain him without just cause or explanation of his rights and stated that he would only be released after the camera was delivered to Gwanda State University.
On 17 June 2021, Tambu was released from police custody after spending 2 nights in detention without receiving any further criminal sanction and did not appear in any court answering to criminal charges as should have been the case.
After his release and ordeal, Tambu engaged Prisca Dube of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who filed a summons at Bulawayo Magistrates Court, seeking payment of damages amounting to US$10 000 as compensation for the violation of his fundamental rights.
In the summons, Dube argued that Tambu was deprived of his liberty and inconvenienced as he could not conduct his business activities and was subjected to emotional strain as he was in confinement and could not see his family while his reputation as an entrepreneur was tainted.
In a ruling handed down recently by Bulawayo Magistrate only identified as Ncube, Mayimbo, together with the Officer In Charge of Bulawayo Central Police Station, Godwin Matanga, the Commissioner-General of ZRP and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Hon. Kazembe, were ordered to pay US$10 000 to Tambu as damages for wrongful arrest, unlawful detention and pain and suffering.
Magistrate Ncube ruled that Tambu was deprived of his liberty during a dangerous period of the outbreak of coronavirus and his health was put in danger owing to Mayimbo’s actions.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Magistrate Awards Bulawayo Man US$10 000 In Damages Over Unlawful Arrest

A Victoria Falls man is suing TM Pick n Pay for US$30 00 after he was wrongfully arrested and prosecuted over theft charges instigated by the retail chain.
Farai Chakawa is being represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
He recently filed a summons at Harare Magistrates (Civil) Court against TM Pick n Pay Zimbabwe, Stanford Nyamukoroso, ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs, Cultural and Heritage Minister Hon. Kazembe Kazembe, demanding compensation amounting to US$30 000 for causing his unlawful arrest, detention, malicious prosecution and humiliation. ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
Out of a total of US$30 000 that Chakawa is demanding, US$10 000 will be damages for malicious prosecution, US$10 000 will be damages for unlawful arrest and detention while US$10 000 will be damages for humiliation, embarrassment and affront to dignity as a result of the unlawful arrest, detention and malicious prosecution.
Chinopfukutwa argued that at the time Nyamukoroso handcuffed Chakawa and instigated the criminal complaint against him, there was no probable cause that he had committed the offence of disorderly conduct as he was merely a customer seeking to purchase products from the retail outlet.
</blockquote>
ZLHR said the incident occurred in April 2023, at a time when Chakawa had visited Harare
Chakawa was arrested by an employee, Stanford Nyamukoroso, who accused him of theft. Said ZLHR:
<blockquote>
In April 2023, Farai Chakawa, a resident of Victoria Falls in Matabeleland North Province, who was visiting Harare and who intended to buy some goods at TM Pick n Pay Joina City retail shop in the capital city, was arrested by a vindictive employee of the retail giant, who unsuccessfully tried to block him from purchasing some goods after telling him that he was not allowed inside the retail supermarket.
Chakawa queried why he was not being allowed in the retail outlet and Stanford Nyamukoroso, an employee of TM Pick n Pay Zimbabwe, told him that this was because he had arbitrarily decided to just do so. 
A cashier at the liquor store counter, located within TM Pick n Pay Zimbabwe Joina City retail shop, pleaded with Nyamukoroso to let Chakawa purchase what he wanted and he eventually bought a soft drink and his bottle of whisky.
</blockquote>
As Chakawa was leaving the counter, Nyamukoroso grabbed him by the waist while holding him by his belt and pulled him into a private room, reported ZLHR.
Nyamukoroso handcuffed Chakawa and subsequently advised him that he was going to be detained in some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) cells that day because he had purchased goods in a TM Pick n Pay Zimbabwe retail outlet against his will. Said ZLHR:
<blockquote>
Nyamukoroso then took Chakawa to Harare Central Police Station, where he was charged with disorderly conduct and asked to pay a fine for disorderly conduct.
Chakawa declined to pay the fine protesting that he had not committed any offence.
He was then detained at Harare Central Police Station for two days before being taken to Harare Magistrates Court, where he stood trial on disorderly conduct.
But in May 2023, criminal proceedings brought against Chakawa were terminated after he was acquitted of charges of disorderly conduct.
After the acquittal, Chakawa engaged Chinopfukutwa, who on Wednesday 10 January 2024, filed a summons at Harare Magistrates (Civil) Court.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Victoria Falls Man Sues TM Pick n Pay For US$30K Over Wrongful Arrest At Joina City Branch

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) says it has assisted Harare residents to sue Felix Mhona, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, over some defective flyovers, which are posing a serious safety risk to residents of Harare.
According to ZLHR, the residents, through Harare Residents Trust (HRT), recently filed an application at the Harare High Court seeking an order to compel Mhona to rectify the defects on three of the capital city’s flyovers located along Simon Mazorodze Road, Lytton Road and Fidel Castro road within 90 days of the granting of the court order to ensure that the flyovers are safe for use by road users.
HRT also wants the High Court to declare that Mhona’s conduct in failing to rectify the defects on the three flyovers was a contravention of residents’ right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being as enshrined in section 73(1) of the Constitution. 
Through the application, which was filed on 8 December by ZLHR’s Tonderai Bhatasara together with Loreen Mupesa, a resident of Harare, who said she frequently uses roads located on the flyovers, argued that as the official responsible for maintenance and rehabilitation of roads in Zimbabwe, Mhona must safeguard people’s lives by ensuring that roads are safe in the country.
HRT and Mupesa protested that Mhona had not attended to fixing the defects, which were noted on the flyovers several years ago and this had exposed the flyovers to the risk of collapse and thereby endangering the lives of members of the public.
HRT and Mupesa said with each day passing, the flyovers had increasingly become dangerous and unsafe to use. 
According to HRT and Mupesa, the defects on the three flyovers were identified by officials from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the City of Harare, who conducted a joint inspection and these are contained in a report, which the officials produced on 27 July 2012.
Some of the defects, which were noted and are listed in the joint report include spalling of concrete on bottom flanges of beams on edges, severe corrosion to reinforcement steel, visible cracks along the centreline deck, severely damaged expansion joints, excessive vibration of the superstructure, poor drainage of the superstructure, water leaking on expansion joints and longitudinal cracks.
HRT and Mupesa argued that while Mhona’s ministry had in 2021 acknowledged the existence of the defects on the flyovers and had undertaken to rectify them, he had since 2021 not fixed them hence the residents now want the Minister to be compelled by the High Court to repair them and help eliminate the danger, which they pose to motorists and other road users.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Harare Residents Sue Transport Minister Over Defective Flyovers

A 37-year-old man from Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province, Patrick Kingirasi, who was arrested on allegations of undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been granted ZWL$500 000 bail.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said that Kingirasi, an unemployed resident of Bindura, was arrested last month and spent 24 days in pre-trial detention in Bindura Prison.
On Tuesday, 12 December, Bindura Magistrate Ndokera set Kingirasi free after granting him ZWL$500 000 bail.
Kingirasi, who was represented by human rights lawyer Pride Dzapasi, returns to court on 15 December. ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
Prosecutors alleged that Kingirasi who is represented by [Pride P Dzapasi] undermined and insulted President Mnangagwa on 2 October, when he called Edson Chibaya, a fellow Bindura resident, on his mobile phone and made some utterances to the effect that the ruling ZANU PF political party members were thieves and blamed the ruling party’s leader for causing massive suffering among citizens and for authoring the country’s economic crisis.
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Kingirasi is alleged to have shouted at Chibaya in the Shona language that “Musandiitire zvechimbavha zve ZANU PF nava Mnangagwa venyu varikutipa kutambura,” which prosecuting authorities translated to mean “Do not be thievery in ZANU PF way with your Mnangagwa, who is causing us to suffer.”
Prosecutors said Kingirasi’s alleged utterances were unlawful, intentional, abusive, indecent and abusive.
The Bindura resident is the latest among dozens of Zimbabweans, who have been arrested, detained and prosecuted on charges of undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa.
During the reign of Robert Mugabe, the country’s late leader, more than 200 people were prosecuted and persecuted on the same nefarious charges of undermining the authority of or insulting the President, charges which continue to be preferred against citizens in the post-Mugabe era.
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</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bindura Man Arrested For "Insulting" Mnangagwa Granted ZWL$500 000 Bail

A 37-year-old man from Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province, Patrick Kingirasi, has been in pre-trial detention for almost three weeks following his arrest on allegations of undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said that Kingirasi, an unemployed resident of Bindura, was arrested in November and has been languishing in prison for 20 days. ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
In the political hotbed province of Mashonaland Central province, we are working on securing freedom for Patrick Kingirasi, a 37-year-old man, who was arrested last month and has been in prison for 20 days on charges of undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa.
Kingirasi, an unemployed resident of Bindura in Mashonaland Central province, has been languishing in remand prison after he was arrested by [the Zimbabwe Republic Police] on 18 November and charged with undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa.
Prosecutors alleged that Kingirasi who is represented by [Pride P Dzapasi] undermined and insulted President Mnangagwa on 2 October, when he called Edson Chibaya, a fellow Bindura resident, on his mobile phone and made some utterances to the effect that the ruling ZANU PF political party members were thieves and blamed the ruling party’s leader for causing massive suffering among citizens and for authoring the country’s economic crisis.
Kingirasi is alleged to have shouted at Chibaya in the Shona language that “Musandiitire zvechimbavha zve ZANU PF nava Mnangagwa venyu varikutipa kutambura,” which prosecuting authorities translated to mean “Do not be thievery in ZANU PF way with your Mnangagwa, who is causing us to suffer.”
Prosecutors said Kingirasi’s alleged utterances were unlawful, intentional, abusive, indecent and abusive.
The Bindura resident is the latest among dozens of Zimbabweans, who have been arrested, detained and prosecuted on charges of undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa.
During the reign of Robert Mugabe, the country’s late leader, more than 200 people were prosecuted and persecuted on the same nefarious charges of undermining the authority of or insulting the President, charges which continue to be preferred against citizens in the post-Mugabe era.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Unemployed Bindura Resident Arrested For "Insulting" President Mnangagwa

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate for Mabvuku-Tafara in the 09 December 2023 by-elections, Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi has approached the High Court seeking to compel the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to give him a polling station-based voters’ roll for the constituency.
This was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) in a statement posted on X. It said:
<blockquote>
At Harare High Court, we have challenged ZEC’s refusal to furnish Mabvuku-Tafara parliamentary candidate Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi for next month’s by-elections, with a polling station-based voters’ roll.
In an urgent court application filed by our lawyer Obey Shava, we asked the High Court to compel ZEC to release and hand over the voters’ roll to Kufahakutizwi within 48 hours.
Our court challenge came after numerous attempts seeking the release of the voters’ roll by Kufahakutizwi, one of the participating candidates in next month’s by-elections, were turned down by ZEC.
</blockquote>
By-elections will be held in Beitbridge West, Binga North, Bulawayo South, Cowdray Park, Lobengula-Magwegwe, Lupane East, Mabvuku-Tafara, Mpopoma-Mzilikazi and Nketa constituencies.
CCC won all the nine constituencies in the 23-24 August 2023 general elections. But in October, CCC activist <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Sengezo_Tshabangu">Sengezo Tshabangu</a> recalled the legislators after declaring himself the party’s interim secretary general.
Tshabangu subsequently recalled more MPs and councillors and the number of CCC representatives he has recalled to date stands at 27 MPs, 14 senators, and 69 councillors.
Meanwhile, Tshabangu has since filed an urgent High Court application seeking to bar recalled CCC legislators and councillors who successfully filed their nomination papers to contest in the 09 December by-elections.
Tshabangu, through his lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri, argued that the recalled CCC members had ceased to be members of CCC and therefore could not represent the same party in the by-elections.
However, in July 2023, the High Court dismissed an appeal by CCC against <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/06/26/ccc-sues-41-fraudulent-candidates/">forty-one (41) individuals who fraudulently filed nomination papers as members of the party.</a>
The CCC claimed that 20 of the “fraudsters” filed nomination papers for National Assembly seats while the other 21 individuals filed for local authority seats.
High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo dismissed the appeal application saying the papers had nothing suspicious.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/18/president-mnangagwa-reverses-the-appointment-of-general-valerio-sibanda-to-zanu-pf-politburo/">Pindula News</a>

ZEC Refuses To Give CCC Mabvuku-Tafara Candidate Polling Station-based Voters' Roll

The late Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Tapfumanei Masaya, whose body was found on Sunday, was allegedly abducted by unidentified people near Chizhanje in Mabvuku, Harare.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the people who allegedly abducted Masaya were in a three-vehicle convoy.
Another CCC activist, Jeffrey Kalosi, was also abducted and bundled in a different car and assaulted before being dumped near Chabwino. The ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
On Monday, our lawyer Innocent Gonese spent the day in Mabvuku/Tafara getting instructions from Maria Zhuwao, the wife of Tapfumanei Masaya, who was abducted and disappeared over the weekend.
Gonese was told that Masaya had not been located since Saturday when he was abducted by some unidentified people near a place called Chizhanje in Mabvuku while conducting a door-to-door political campaign to drum up support for Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi, the opposition @CCCZimbabwe party’s candidate for upcoming parliamentary by-elections.
The people who abducted Masaya were reportedly in a 3-vehicle convoy &amp; he was bundled into one of the vehicles which looked like a grey Toyota Fortuner.
Jeffrey Kalosi was also abducted &amp; bundled into a double cab vehicle &amp; blindfolded &amp; assaulted before being dumped near a place called Chabwino.
The vehicle in which Masaya was bundled reportedly went in a different direction &amp; he was never seen since then.
Gonese visited Mabvuku Police Station to check on the whereabouts of Masaya &amp; to get an update on police investigations &amp;he was referred to Harare Central Police
By late Monday, Gonese was working on filing a court application at the High Court for habeas corpus to compel whoever is holding Masaya to release him.
</blockquote>
Late on Monday, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said a body was found at the intersection of Arcturus and Lobho Road in the Cleveland area in Harare on Sunday.
Nyathi said that the identity of the victim was yet to be established.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mabvuku CCC Activist's Abductors Were In A Three-vehicle Convoy - Lawyers

A Mutare man who was imprisoned for a month for allegedly insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa has finally been released on free bail.
28-year-old Elroy Anesu Muchaya allegedly stormed a police station, removed Mnangagwa’s portrait, and blamed him for causing suffering in his life.
He was arrested on 06 September 2023 and charged with undermining the authority of or insulting the President as defined in Section 33(2)(b) of the Criminal Code.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)’s Chris Ndlovu and Takunda Musara of Gonese Ndlovu Legal Practitioners secured Muchaya’s release.
A statement released by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights 0n 11 October 2023 reads:
<blockquote>
In Mutare, we have ended the month-long detention of Elroy Anesu Muchaya, a 28-year-old man, who had been languishing in prison after he was arrested &amp; charged for allegedly blaming President Mnangagwa for causing misery in his life.
Muchaya of Sakubva suburb in Mutare was arrested by [the Police] on 6 September and charged with undermining the authority of or insulting the President as defined in section 33(2)(b) of the Criminal Code.
According to prosecutors, Muchaya visited the ZRP Mutare Traffic Charge Office, which was manned by Ignatius Maziveyi, a ZRP officer, who was on duty, in the early hours of 6 September, where the 28-year-old man allegedly stepped on the counter &amp; removed President Mnangagwa’s portrait &amp; uttered the words “Munhu uyu arikukonzeresa kuti nditambure”, which was translated to mean “This person is the one who is causing my suffering” while holding the portrait close to himself.
Prosecutors said Muchaya’s alleged utterances were unlawful, abusive, indecent &amp; obscene &amp; he had no right to act in the manner he allegedly did.
Muchaya was released from prison on 5 October on free bail granted by Mutare Magistrate Prisca Manhibi, after his lawyers Chris Ndlovu of [the ZLHR] &amp; Takunda Musara of Gonese Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, challenged his continued detention in jail &amp; applied for his release.
Muchaya returns to court on 19 October.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Man (28) Accused Of Insulting Mnangagwa Released On Bail

Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Sunsley Zisengwe has ordered the release of eight Chiredzi residents including lawyer Farai Chauke.
They spent nearly two weeks in prison after they were denied bail for allegedly violating provisions of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) Act.
The eight are: Chauke (42) of Chauke and Associates Legal Practitioners was with Mollen Shonhai (27), Gladmore Gungubu (18), Kudzai Madyira (27), Charles Mungate (50), Lloyd Mushari (26), Agrippa Dhambureni (29) and Simon Hlomani (56).
They were arrested on 05 July 2023 for allegedly disobeying police instructions to disperse from Tshovani Stadium, the venue for a CCC that had not been approved by the police.
According to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), released the suspects on Monday and ordered them to return for trial on 21 July 2023. <a href="https://twitter.com/ZLHRLawyers/status/1680902207955419138?s=20">Said ZLHR</a>:
<blockquote>
In Masvingo, High Court Judge Justice Zisengwe has ordered the release from prison on bail of 8 Chiredzi residents including lawyer, Farai Chauke, on charges of contravening the MOPO Act. They all return to court on 21 July for trial.
</blockquote>
Following the arrest of the nine by the police, <a href="https://twitter.com/ZLHRLawyers/status/1678712138746167298?s=20">ZLHR tweeted on 11 July</a>:
<blockquote>
In Chiredzi, a lawyer &amp; 8 residents are in prison as they were denied bail last week after they were arrested &amp; charged with contravening provisions of the repressive Maintenance of Peace &amp; Order (MOPO) Act, which is being abused to ban opposition political parties’ pre-election campaign activities.
Farai Chauke, a 42-year-old lawyer, of Chauke &amp; Associates Legal Practitioners, was arrested on Wednesday 5 July 2023 together with 7 Chiredzi residents namely Mollen Shonhai aged 27 years, Gladmore Gungubu aged 18 years, Kudzai Madyira aged 27 years, Charles Mungate aged 50 years, Lloyd Mushari aged 26 years, Agrippa Dhambureni aged 29 years &amp; Simon Hlomani aged 56 years after some @PoliceZimbabwe officers threw teargas canisters at some opposition @CCCZimbabwe political party supporters, who were reportedly gathered outside Tshovani Stadium in Chiredzi in Masvingo province.
Chauke, Shonhai, Gungubu, Madyira, Mungate, Mushari, Dhambureni &amp; Hlomani were charged with failure to comply with conditions under which a meeting is authorised as defined in section 8(ii) of the MOPO Act.
Prosecutors alleged that the 8 Chiredzi residents refused to comply with an order in which they were told to disperse from Tshovani Stadium after law enforcement agents prohibited @CCCZimbabwe from holding a campaign rally that had been scheduled for Wednesday 5 July 2023.
Prosecutors claimed that Chauke, Shonhai, Gungubu, Madyira, Mungate, Mushari, Dhambureni &amp; Hlomani, who were represented by Ross Chavi of @ZLHRLawyers, started singing some political songs &amp; threw stones towards ZRP officers after being told to disperse.
On Friday, Chiredzi Magistrate Vimbai Mutukwa denied bail to the eight residents after ruling that Zimbabwe was now in pre-election season and that there would be a propensity among them to commit similar offences.
Magistrate Mutukwa then remanded Chauke, Shonhai, Gungubu, Madyira, Mungate, Mushari, Dhambureni and Hlomani to 14 July, where their trial is scheduled to commence.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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