Bulawayo Ward 22 Councillor Mmeli Bruce Moyo has been granted bail by the High Court after nearly a month in detention for allegedly staging an anti-government protest denouncing the arrest of opposition members.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) announced Moyo’s release on US$100 bail, marking the end of his prolonged detention, bringing some relief to the councillor and his supporters, who had been advocating for his release amid concerns over his health.
“Bulawayo Ward 22 Councillor Mmeli Bruce Moyo will now regain his freedom after we fought for his release on US$100 bail, thereby ending his almost one month in detention after he was arrested for allegedly staging an anti-government protest ahead of the hosting of the SADC summit by the government,” ZLHR said on Wednesday in a statement.
As part of his bail conditions, Moyo was ordered to report at Bulawayo Central Police Station once every week.
The youthful councillor was arrested on August 1, 2024, on charges of incitement to commit public violence for allegedly staging an anti-govt protest demanding an end to “one-party rule” and for denouncing the arrest of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Jameson Timba and other Harare residents.
Moyo’s arrest added to the growing list of activists detained in the lead-up to the SADC Heads of State Summit.
Moyo appeared in court on August 16, 2024, and was remanded in custody until August 30, 2024, as the State requested more time to investigate what it described as “serious” allegations.
During the case hearing, presided over by Bulawayo Magistrate Beverly Casmila Madzikatire at Tredgold Magistrates Court, Moyo’s lawyer, Tinashe Runganga from Tanaka Law Chambers, expressed deep concern over the treatment his client had received while in custody.
The legal team claimed that Moyo had been denied fundamental rights, including visitations, food, and medical care, which had reportedly taken a toll on his mental health.
Runganga called for urgent intervention to protect Moyo’s rights in prison, stressing that his prolonged detention was increasingly concerning for his mental and physical well-being.
