Mutsvangwa order to ‘release activists’ comes into force

Zanu PF spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa

More than a dozen activists have been released on bail in recent days after spending several weeks in custody on charges of planning anti-government protests before and during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Mount Hampden in August.

The release of the activists came barely a month after Zanu-PF spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa said there was no reason to continue detaining the activists following the summit at which President Emmerson Mnangagwa took over as chairman of the regional bloc.

In the run-up to the SADC summit, more than 160 opposition activists and human rights defenders were arrested and denied bail.

Yesterday, the High Court granted bail of US$150 each to activists Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere and Samuel Gwenzi, who were remanded in custody for 35 days.

They were ordered to report every last Friday of the month.

They were thrown off a plane at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport en route to Victoria Falls and charged with disorderly conduct.

The trio were accused of taking part in a protest rally outside the Harare Magistrates' Court in solidarity with 78 members of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

Harare judge Collet Ncube also acquitted 12 of the 78 CCC activists who were accused of taking part in an unlawful assembly at the residence of senior party official Jameson Timba in Avondale, Harare, in June to plan anti-government protests.

They were arrested on June 16.

However, Timba and 65 other activists remain behind bars on the same charges.

However, the activists claimed that they were arrested during the celebration of the Day of the African Child.

In Kariba, the High Court on Monday ended the detention of 14 residents who had been in custody for over a month for allegedly organising an anti-government demonstration in the capital of Mashonaland West province.

The 14 spent 33 days in prison after being arrested in this city in July 2024.

As bail conditions, they were required to pay US$100, report to a police station in Kariba every two weeks, continue to live at their stated addresses and surrender their passports.

The Supreme Court also acquitted CCC candidate Tineyi Munetsi in the disputed August 2023 elections.

Munetsi, who was running for a seat in the Goromonzi West constituency, was arrested on August 3 for allegedly taking part in an anti-government protest five years ago.

Supreme Court Justices Annie-Lucy Mungwari and Joel Mambara granted him bail of $500 after overturning the decision of Mbare Justice Rangarirayi Gakanje to deny him bail on August 10, 2024.

He will return to court on September 6, 2024.

CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi yesterday welcomed the release of party members and other pro-democracy activists.

“Something must be done to restore the trust and credibility of Zimbabwe's justice system and other key government institutions that have been co-opted, abused and exploited by the regime,” he said.

“We condemn the unnecessary extension of the detention of Timba and others on flimsy and irrelevant grounds.

“We cannot continue to have court decisions dictated by the Shake Shake. [Zanu PF] Building.”

“Shake Shake” is the nickname of the Zanu PF party headquarters, which is reminiscent of the “Shake Shake” beer can.

Speaking at a press conference last month, Mutsvangwa said the arrests were justified.

“It was crucial to ensure that nothing detracted from the importance of the summit. Zimbabwe needed to present itself to our SADC partners as a stable and secure country,” he said.

“So if you are a deviant, you will be treated the right way, which is to put you in prison so that you don't create sideshows that divert attention from what is happening.”

Information Minister Jenfan Muswere later issued a statement distancing himself from the government and Zanu PF, thereby distancing himself from the activists' arrest. However, observers say Mutsvangwa has already let the cat out of the bag.

Observers, democracy groups and the opposition said Mutsvangwa's statement was an indication that the ruling party was abusing state power and using the law as a weapon against critics.