A Zimbabwe court has ordered opposition leader Jameson Timba and 65 supporters back to jail to await trial for unlawful gathering, following their arrests nearly three months ago. Timba, interim leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), was arrested with nearly 80 others at his Harare home on June 16, with police alleging they intended to incite public violence.
Although the Harare Magistrate’s Court acquitted the group of disorderly conduct, they still face charges related to their unlawful gathering. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, argue these charges are politically motivated, part of a crackdown ahead of a regional summit in Harare on August 17.
After nearly 11 weeks in jail, Timba and the activists appeared in court for their hearing, which had been postponed multiple times. Magistrate Collet Ncube acquitted 12 activists of both charges, noting some were not present at Timba’s home, including Timba’s 19-year-old son, who claimed he was delivering a Father’s Day gift.
In a separate case, three pro-democracy activists arrested on July 31 for protesting Timba’s arrest were released on bail. Rights activist Namatai Kwekweza, teachers’ union leader Robson Chere, and former Harare councillor Samuel Gwenzi were detained at the airport while attempting to travel to a civil society conference in Victoria Falls. Kwekweza expressed relief at her release after 36 days in custody.
She emphasized the broader implications of their ordeal, highlighting the plight of the 79 individuals still imprisoned. Their lawyer, Charles Kwaramba, noted the trio was required to pay $150 for their bail. UN-appointed experts had previously reported that they suffered torture in detention, including waterboarding. Chere mentioned lingering chest pains from the abuse he endured.
Amnesty International has documented over 160 arrests of civil society activists and opposition members ahead of the Southern African Development Community summit, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed chairmanship. Following the disputed August 2023 elections, which solidified ZANU-PF’s grip on power, Zimbabwe’s opposition has faced increased repression. Kwekweza reaffirmed her commitment to continue the fight for justice.