BULAWAYO- A 42-year-old man who had been granted US$50 bail by a provincial magistrate in Bulawayo following his arrest for undermining the authority of the president died after allegedly drinking poison, a day after his release.
Tineyi Mhosva appeared before provincial magistrate Isheunesu Mathoba on March 10, 2026, where he was remanded out of custody on bail.
He reportedly took his own life the following day, on March 11.
Mhosva had been arrested following an incident on February 26, 2026, at the corner of 5th Avenue and George Silundika Street in Bulawayo.
Milton Moyo, for the National Prosecuting Authority, alleged that Mhosva approached street vendor Anna Mupandira, 58, who was wearing a cap inscribed with the words “Zimbabwe Anti Presidential Criticism.”
The court heard that Mhosva questioned Mupandira about the cap before launching into a tirade in Shona, allegedly insulting her and President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
He is alleged to have said: “Zvi hat zvenyu zve Zanu PF zvamakapfeka izvi ndezvembavha. Ini handitongwi nemunhu asiri Gushungo. Ndakaberekwa nembereko yekwa Gushungo. Mnangagwa nevanhu vake imbavha.”
Prosecutors say the utterances, which translate to accusing Zanu PF supporters and the president of being “thieves,” were made with the realisation that there was a risk of undermining the authority of the head of state – a notorious law used to suppress criticism of the president.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Mhosva’s arrest.
Mhosva was subsequently granted US$50 bail by Mathoba.
However, before the matter could proceed, Mhosva allegedly drank poison the following day and died.
