Opposition MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere arrested

Opposition MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has been arrested. According to her party she was arrested on “flimsy charges of communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the State.”

The party issued a statement “We condemn the weaponization of the law against MDC Alliance leadership and all pro-democracy activists.”

Mahere is being held at Harare Central Police Station.

Meanwhile lawyers representing detained journalist Hopewell Chin’ono challenged his placement on remand saying the charge he is facing was ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.

It is alleged Chin’ono breached Section 31 (a) (iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act by posting a tweet that falsely reported the death of a child after a physical assault by the police.

The defence lawyers, led by Harrison Nkomo, argued before Harare magistrate Lazini Ncube, that the section he is being charged under was invalidated as being unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.

The matter continues tomorrow during which the defence lawyers are expected to lead evidence from Chin’ono.