Two supporters of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in Mahusekwa, Taurai Befura (47) and Dennis Chiradza (63), have been sentenced to 18 months in prison, with six months suspended, for allegedly assaulting a ZANU PF supporter.
The violent act reportedly took place on May 14th, 2022.
Despite some discrepancies in the evidence presented in court, Marondera magistrate Esther Mabika invoked President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s anti-violence stance when passing the sentence. She argued that the court had to take a strong stance against political violence, especially given the country’s history of such incidents.
The two accused were represented by Lynnet Phiri of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum. The sentence has raised concerns among some observers, who fear that it could be used to justify the persecution of opposition supporters.
