Четыре жителя Зимбабве арестованы за видеоролик с призывом к антиправительственным протестам

FOUR villagers are currently detained in prison after they were arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers and charged for allegedly recording and circulating a video on Tik-Tok, inciting people to participate in an anti-government demonstration, organised to protest against the recent amendment of the Constitution. The four villagers namely Campson Takawira aged 53 years, Tawanda Mabhande aged 46 years, Ireen Mudyanevana aged 35 years and Miriam Koroni aged 40 years, were arrested by ZRP officers on 28 July 2026 and charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace and bigotry as defined in Section 37(1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform). According to prosecutors, Takawira, Mabhande, Mudyanevana and Koroni, who all reside in Mhondoro-Ngezi in Mashonaland West province, and who are reportedly members of National Progressive Democrats, an opposition political party, allegedly convened a flash demonstration against the enactment of Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment) Act (No.3), 2026, on 25 July 2026 at Takawira’s homestead in Matemavi Village, where they gathered together with some other unnamed people, while wearing their political party regalia and sang some songs while taking some pictures and videos with the intention of inciting people to participate in the planned anti-government protest, which had been organised to be held on 31 July 2026. Prosecutors alleged that the four villagers, who are represented by Makanaka James of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, appeared on a video, which was shared on Tik-Tok with the caption “Mhondoro-Ngezi is ready to remove the ZANU PF system. #31 July we are unstoppable.” During the flash demonstration, prosecutors alleged, Takawira, Mabhande, Mudyanevana and Koroni reportedly sang songs with the lyrics “Nhoroondo ichava Nhoroondo kana tatenderwa nababa kubvisa Mnangagwa ichava nhoroondo NPD wayaaaaaa”. ZRP officers, who arrested Takawira, Mabhande, Mudyanevana and Koroni, recovered political campaign T-shirts, which will be used as exhibits during the quartet’s trial. On 4 August 2026, Kadoma Resident Magistrate Charity Tonongera dismissed Takawira, Mabhande, Mudyanevana and Koroni’s bail application after ruling that the four villagers have a propensity to commit other offences in the near future if released from prison custody. The four villagers return to court on 18 August 2026. #ZLHR30 Years of Impact. A Lifetime of Commitment! ENDS Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Kodzero/Amalungelo House No. 103 Sam Nujoma Street, Harare, Zimbabwe Phone: (+263 8677005347, +263 242 764085/705370/708118 Email: [email protected] www.zlhr.org.zw FOLLOW US ON: Facebook: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights; X: @ZLHRLawyers; Instagram: ZLHR1996; LinkedIn: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights; YouTube: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights; TikTok: ZLHR96; ZLHR Chatbot: 00263 787 601 800