Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
Zvishavane
Magistrate Peter Madhibha on Friday 08 July 2016 set free six men who were arrested this week and charged with conspiracy to cause malicious damage to property and conspiracy to cause public violence for allegedly participating in an anti-government protest. Magistrate Madhibha set the six men free after their lawyers from ZLHR, who represented the residents based in Zvishavane in Midlands province, filed an application for refusal of remand arguing that the facts as alleged by prosecutors did not disclose an offence to warrant the prosecution of the accused persons.
The lawyers argued that the arrest of the residents was arbitrary as they were just rounded up while attending to their personal business and were also carried out in a bid to arrest and investigate.
Bulawayo
In Bulawayo, eight of the detainees who were arrested on Wednesday 06 July 2016 and held at Bulawayo Central Police Station in the aftermath of the countrywide stay-away were on Friday 08 July 2016 granted bail of $40 each and will appear at Tredgold Magistrates Court again on Wednesday 13 July 2016.
On Friday 08 July 2016, Bulawayo Magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure deferred ruling on an application for bail filed by ZLHR lawyers on behalf of 86 residents who were arrested on Wednesday 06 July 2016 and detained at Mzilikazi Police Station to Monday 11 July 2016. Three juveniles who were also targeted by the police and charged with committing public violence were granted free bail.
Harare
In Harare, 26 residents who were arrested for allegedly staging protests early this week, will have to endure another night in detention before they know the outcome of their freedom bid after a Mbare Magistrate deferred ruling on their bail applications filed by ZLHR lawyers to Saturday 09 July 2016.
Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights