Crimes and Courts Correspondent
In a significant victory for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), 15 of its activists have been acquitted of charges related to participating in an unsanctioned gathering in Budiriro.
“All the State witnesses failed to link the 15 to the alleged offence,” said Harare magistrate Sharon Rakafa in her ruling.
The activists were part of a larger group of 25, including former MPs Amos Chibaya and Costa Machingauta, who were arrested and charged with inciting violence.
Rakafa noted that some of the accused were arrested while running personal errands unrelated to the alleged meeting.
“None of the witnesses saw the accused wearing CCC T-shirts or chanting party slogans,” she added.
The Magistrate emphasized that the State had to prove the accused acted together to disturb public peace, but lacked evidence.
“Without evidence, the accused are entitled to be discharged,” Rakafa ruled.
However, Chibaya was fined $50 for defaulting on his court appearance.
The defense argued that chanting party slogans and singing does not constitute a crime under Zimbabwean law, citing testimony from State witnesses.
The case will continue on October 18.
This acquittal is a significant development in the ongoing struggles of Zimbabwe’s opposition parties, highlighting concerns about freedom of assembly and association.
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