Protest leaders denied bail
By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
A Mbare magistrate on Friday denied bail to three activists who were recently arrested for allegedly inciting violence during protests late last week.
The trio, Pride Mkono, the Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (RTUZ) programme officer, and human rights activists Mehluli Dube and Makomborero Haruzivishe.
The Prosecution is arguing that the three incited violence when they took part in a march organised by political parties to press for electoral reforms on Friday.
They were remanded in custody to 15 September, after the State argued that they could not be freed as they had similar cases pending.
Meanwhile, Linda Masarira continues to languish in prison, more than a month after she was arrested during a protest in Harare.
She was among the activists who started occupying Africa Unity Square in June, pushing for President Robert Mugabe’s exit over leadership failure.
James Jemwa, a freelance photojournalist, was granted bail after being arrested for filming last week’s protests.
He tested freedom together with a 68-year-old man named as Fredman Mbanjeshoma, who got caught in the protests.
Prosecution also said Masarira had a pending case In Mutare in which she had violated her bail conditions. Nehanda Radio
