A ZIMBABWEAN court has stopped the prosecution of Allan Moyo, a pro-democracy campaigner, by setting him free after spending more than two years answering to charges of calling for a
revolt against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
Moyo, who was represented by Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, had since 2020 been appearing in court after he was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 3 July 2020 and charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence or breaches of peace as defined in section 37(1)(B) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors alleged that Moyo together with other unknown persons addressed some commuters on 3 July 2020 at Copacabana bus terminus in Harare by telling them that the time to stage a revolt against President Mnangagwa’s administration was conducive as the ZANU PF party leader had failed the people of Zimbabwe.
Moyo, prosecutors also alleged, told commuters that President Mnangagwa’s government was not capable of fixing the country’s economic problems as it had presided over the suffering of people in Zimbabwe.
The state charged that by making the alleged statements, Moyo intended to provoke the breach of peace in Zimbabwe.
But, on Thursday 13 October 2022, a Harare Magistrate, only identified as Hove, set Moyo free by removing him from remand after agreeing with submissions filed by Shava, who had argued and protested against the state’s failure to put Moyo on trial within a reasonable time.
Magistrate Hove advised the state to proceed by summoning Moyo to stand trial in court if it has any plans of prosecuting the pro-democracy campaigner.
ENDS
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
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