Harare Magistrate Denis Mangosi has scheduled a trial date for the 25 members of Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change, who are facing charges of holding an illegal meeting that was broken up by the police using tear gas.
Magistrate Mangosi stated that “the accused persons have demonstrated that they will not abscond, and they are now required to report once every last Friday of the month. They have been assigned a trial date in court 2 on May 18, 2023.”
Among the accused individuals is Amos Chibaya, a member of Parliament for the Mkoba constituency.
The 25 were arrested when Riot police stormed the home of legislator Costa Machingauta in Budiriro early this year, arresting him and 24 others who were holding a party meeting which the police said was unsanctioned.
The activists were later granted Zwl $30 000 and among them were two senior citizens aged 72 and 81 and were unconditionally released.
Zimbabwe is expected to hold general elections this year, although the exact date has yet to be announced.
