Two Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists have been released from jail after spending 20 days in remand prison for allegedly assaulting Zanu PF activists at a campaign launch in Marondera.
On July 12, 2023, Munyaradzi Gwatidzo and Collen Popo were accused of attacking two Zanu PF supporters at the CCC MP Caston Mateu campaign launch in Marondera.
The two were denied bail because the magistrate hearing their case deemed them “dangerous,” stating they faced “serious” allegations of hitting the complainant once on the cheek and grabbing him by the collar.
According to the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, who represented them in court, it was alleged that Gwatidzo and Popo accosted Zanu PF supporters, Munyaradzi Gomba and Anesu Bukutu “by grabbing their collars and slapping them on their faces.”
When the two were arrested on July 12, 2023, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum assigned Noble Chinhanu and Darlington Marange to represent them in court where Marondera Magistrate Esquire Chiwundura said they were likely to commit further offences during the election period.
In their defence, Chinhanu said the accused do not have a propensity to commit any offence.
However, on August 2, 2023, the State withdrew the claims against Gwatidzo and Popo prior to their plea.
“The prosecutor withdrew their charges after Zanu PF complainants and witnesses failed to come to court. The withdrawal comes after the two had spent 20 days in prison,” said the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
“This was after Marondera Magistrate refused them bail, classifying them as dangerous because they faced ‘serious’ allegations of slapping the complainant once on the cheek and holding him by the collar.”
