HARARE – The High Court has once again been forced to postpone the bail appeal hearing of dozens of people arrested on March 31 on allegations of staging anti-government protests at the request of prosecutors.
On Wednesday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) asked for a postponement to allow prosecutors to call the investigating officer to support their opposition to the group’s release on bail.
Previously, the appeal could not be heard as the record of proceedings from the magistrates court, which the NPA should table at the High Court, had not been submitted.
The hearing is now expected next Monday.
A total of 94 people out of the 98 arrested remain in custody.
Three women who were appearing separately were granted bail last week by the High Court.
On Wednesday, only one suspect, Munyaradzi Mazhiriri, was granted bail by High Court judge Justice Philipa Philips.
The group is facing allegations of participating in a gathering with the intention to promote public violence.
According to the NPA, on March 31, 2025, at around 9.20AM, the group gathered at a open space commonly known as Freedom Square in Harare intending to march through the streets of Harare.
Prosecutors allege the group also wanted to proceed to State House and “forcibly remove the constitutionally elected President Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
“The accused were making their vows of removing the president saying ‘enough is enough, Mnangagwa must go, ED must go nezvigananda zvake. Madzibaba veshanduko huyai mutitungamirire, comrade Geza huyai mutitungamirire and whistled.
“Police officers who were deployed for maintenance of order observed about two hundred 200 people gathered and approached the group.
“The accused piled stones, bricks and tyres along Robert Mugabe road. They threw stones towards the police officers whilst singing Hatidi zvekupihwa order nemasasikamu. They also took themselves pictures and videos which they posted on various social media platforms,” said the State.
