Former Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi on Wednesday reflected on his prison experience with opposition activist Godfrey Karembera, popularly known as Madzibaba VeShanduko, after the activist was acquitted and released following eight months in pre-trial detention on charges of incitement to commit public violence.
Karembera was jointly charged with political activists Jim Kunaka and Jestere Malcolm Masarira over allegations that they had incited people to participate in anti-government protests that had been scheduled for October 2025.
The trio was freed by Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki at the close of the State case after the court found there was no evidence warranting their conviction.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), which represented the accused through lawyer Paida Surombe, said the ruling marked the end of Karembera’s prolonged prosecution.
“We have ended the persecution of Godfrey Karembera popularly known as Madzibaba VeShanduko, who had been in prison detention for eight months, by having him set free by a Magistrate after standing trial on charges of incitement to commit public violence,” ZLHR said.
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who has been a victim of politically motivated charges, also commented on the acquittal, saying the case raised questions about wrongful political incarceration and the impact of prolonged detention on accused persons later found not guilty.
“This outcome raises serious questions about the cost of wrongful political incarceration, the impact on the lives of those accused, and the importance of ensuring that justice is not only done but is seen to be done,” he stated.
Following the ruling, Mzembi reflected on his time in detention with Karembera at Harare Remand Prison.
Mzembi, who was himself acquitted earlier this year in a separate criminal abuse of office case, said Karembera had joined him in a prison cell he referred to as “Bethel”, where inmates regularly held prayer sessions and worship.
“I got to know him a lot better inside Harare Remand especially after his co-accused were released when he asked to join my cell which I had rebranded from B4 to ‘Bethel’, turning it into a prayer cell,” Mzembi said in a social media post.
He described Karembera as a prayerful inmate who often led praise and worship sessions while also speaking about the hardships he experienced during his detention.
Mzembi said prison life had taught them lessons about faith, friendship and national unity, adding that despite political differences, Zimbabweans shared common aspirations for a better country.
Karembera’s acquittal comes weeks after Mzembi was cleared by the High Court of criminal abuse of office charges relating to the distribution of public-viewing television sets during his tenure as Tourism Minister.
High Court judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero ruled that the State had failed to prove essential elements of the offence and criticised shortcomings in the prosecution’s investigations and handling of witnesses.
Mzembi had spent close to a year in remand prison before being granted bail shortly before his acquittal.
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