Theconviction and sentencing of Transform Zimbabwe leader,Jacob Ngarivhume signalled a death knell on Zimbabwe’sdemocracy. Ngarivhume was slapped with an effectivethree-year prison term after 12 months of his 48 months’sentence were suspended following his conviction oncharges of inciting public violence. There was no optionfor a fine.

In its statutes, Zimbabwe provides for the right to peacefuldemonstrations, freedom of expression, association, andchoice. It is sad that Ngarivhume has been imprisoned forpractising his rights as provided for in the constitution. On5 April, we had another sad incident where CitizensCoalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Fadzayi Maherewas convicted for “publishing falsehoods” prejudicial tothe State over a viral video she retweeted alleging that apolice officer had killed a baby. She was convicted andsentenced to pay a fine of five hundred United Statesdollars (US$500) for the offence. Sadly, according to FlaviaMwangovya, the Amnesty International deputy director forEast and Southern Africa, Mahere’s conviction was basedon a law that no longer exists in Zimbabwe. The legalprovision that was used to convict Mahere was declaredunconstitutional by the Constitutional Court in 2014. TheHigh Court confirmed this in another case in 2021. TheMagistrate Court should have noted the upper courts’decisions and acquitted Mahere.

Download the Newsletter Here