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Writer's pictureCrisis Regional Media

ZIM COURT CONVICTS 34 CONGREGANTS OVER ANTI-GOVT PROTEST


A ZIMBABWEAN court on Monday 21 November 2022 convicted 34

congregants, who had been on trial on charges of staging an

anti-government protest against the country’s agonising political and

economic crisis.


The 34 congregants, who are also members of Zimbabwe Transformative

Party (ZTP), an opposition political party, led by 52 year-old

Kanyenzura Parere, who is a Bishop of Mirirai Jehovha Apostolic

Church, had been on trial after they were arrested by Zimbabwe

Republic Police officers on 9 July 2022 and charged with criminal

nuisance as defined in section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification

and Reform) Act.


During trial, prosecutors alleged that the 34, who were represented by

Evans Moyo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, unlawfully acted in a

manner which is likely to create a nuisance by walking on the roads

and pavements in Harare’s central business district while singing a

gospel song with the lyrics "Emmanuel tisunungureiwo tanzwa ne nhamo"

and thereby obstructed the free passage and movement of people and

vehicles.


In convicting the 34 congregants, Harare Magistrate Stanford Mambanje

said he was convinced by the testimony of some witnesses who testified

during the trial of the congregants, whom he said had no reason to lie

and who ordered the ZTP party members to disperse as they were doing

something wrong.


The 34 ZTP party members, who include Simon Goshomi, who is ZTP’s

Vice-President, Richard Mhurushoma, the opposition party’s

Chairperson, Fortune Chapeyama, who is ZTP’s Secretary-General, Prince

Mukozho, Solomon Duwa, Shongai Mushinje, Noah Dabvu, Jasper

Muringanidza, Honoured Mutangadura, Sherperd Mutsonhi, Edson Shonhiwa,

Chaora Rovesai, Tafadzwa Musere, Tsverukai Harava, Shamiso Majecha,

Runia Musere, Margret Chibwana, Sakile Nkomo, Helen Kuudzewe, Liah

Munakandafa, Victoria Changadzo, Restar Kunyenzura, Emmanuel Musere,

Godfrey Mashava, Givemore Bandera, Pangai Kurehwatira, Edward Mhindu,

Leon Mukopfa, Pride Charedzera, Irvin Musenze, Jefta Takaedza, Thomas

Zengeya and Felix Zengeya, will be sentenced by Magistrate Mambanje on

Tuesday 22 November 2022.


ENDS

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Kodzero/Amalungelo House

No. 103 Sam Nujoma Street, Harare, Zimbabwe

Phone: (+263 8677005347, +263 242 764085/705370/708118

Email: info@zlhr.org.zw

www.zlhr.org.zw

FOLLOW US:@ZLHRLAWYERS ON TWITTER | ZIMBABWE LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

ON FACEBOOK


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