The High Court in Harare has postponed the bail appeal hearing for 94 individuals arrested on March 31 for allegedly staging anti-government protests. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) requested a postponement to allow prosecutors to call the investigating officer to support their opposition to the group’s release on bail.
The group faces allegations of participating in a gathering with the intention to promote public violence. According to the NPA, the protesters gathered at Freedom Square in Harare, intending to march through the streets and allegedly “forcibly remove the constitutionally elected President Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
Prosecutors claim the group made vows to remove the president, chanting slogans like “enough is enough, Mnangagwa must go” and throwing stones and bricks at police officers. The protesters allegedly also posted pictures and videos on social media.
Only one suspect, Munyaradzi Mazhiriri, was granted bail by High Court judge Justice Philipa Philips. Three women were granted bail separately last week. The hearing for the remaining 94 individuals has been postponed to next Monday.
The repeated delays raise concerns about the fairness and efficiency of the justice system. Will the court ultimately grant bail to the protesters, or will they remain in custody for an extended period? The outcome remains uncertain.
