There was heavy police presense at the Harare Magistrates Court on Tuesday 6 April, where opposition activist Makomborero Haruzivishe was sentensed to 14 months in prison for inciting violence.
Harare Magistrate Judith Taruvinga sentenced Makomborero to serve 24 months in prison on count 1 of which 10 months were suspended. On the second count, Makomborero will serve 12 months of which 6 months were suspended.
Speaking to Identities Media, women’s rights and pro democracy activist and colleague, Karen Mukwasi said “Makomborero’s conviction and sentencing is a travesty of Justice. As a citizen who believes in my Freedom of Assembly and association I feel very threatened.”
“This judgement shows us that even a peaceful expression of our fundamental freedoms will be interpreted as violence. It’s a sad day for democracy in Zimbabwe.”
“Makomborero spoke up for vendors who were being violated by the police and this got him convicted. This is very unfortunate. I hope that soon sanity returns to our land and we can start believing in our justice system again,” she said.
In a similar case, MDC-A activists Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri, and Takudzwa Ngadziore could also face time in jail for issuing & reading a press statement outside Harare Magistrates Court denouncing the arrest of Makomborero and calling for the dismissal of police boss Godwin Matanga.
Makomboreros supporters used the Twitter hashtag ‘#FreeMako’ which is trending in Zimbabwe to express their sympathy. Below are some of the messages sent..
I am ready for prison. I refuse to be broken by a cabal of thieves and murderers. They stole the future from millions of Zimbabweans. A criminal cult that betrayed their comrades who died in the struggle for Independence. This for me is a sabbatical. I will be back!#PeoplePower— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) April 6, 2021
GETTING 14 months in jail for whistling in Harare while those with actual murder cases continue to commit more crimes from Gukurahundi, 2000, 2002, 2008 elections violence to 2018 and 2019 extra-judicial killings by security forces in Zimbabwe. Thats VARAKASHI rule of law— Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) April 6, 2021
Mako is a prisoner of conscience who is being persecuted for speaking out against poverty, injustice & corruption. All progressive citizens must speak out against his conviction. All he wants is a better society that works for the many not the few.#FreeMako pic.twitter.com/0RCLiP76sn— Fadzayi Mahere (@advocatemahere) April 6, 2021
We are so devastated by the unjust and unfair incarceration of Mako for trumped-up charges.
We will not be intimidated and we shall remain resolute until the evil ZANU-PF regime bites the dust.#ZanuPFMustGo— Team Pachedu 🇿🇼 (@PacheduZW) April 6, 2021
In a devastating turn of events, Mako has been sentenced to an effective 14 months in prison. This is a clear example of political persecution. #FreeMako pic.twitter.com/Ct2NWbFq06— MDC Alliance (@mdczimbabwe) April 6, 2021
As a citizen i failed Mako,Joana, Cecilia and all those who are being persecuted by this regime😢💔😭#ZanupfMustGo— Atmos Gwabada (@Atmos05) April 6, 2021
Judith Taruvinga and Ngoni Nduna are some of the undercover state operatives masquerading as Magistrates at the Harare Magistrates Court. One day all these shenanigans will catch up with them.— Lance Guma (@LanceGuma) April 6, 2021
As predicted the regime is running scared of #PeoplePower. They have mounted roadblocks , stopping and searching cars entering Harare CBD. We must increase the costs of dictatorship in Zimbabwe. It’s going to be a winter of discontent #FreeMako pic.twitter.com/cmxjCDQA2c— Youngerson Yahwe Matete (@MateteYoung) April 6, 2021
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