Zimbabwe’s political landscape has been rocked by controversy as the High Court upheld a lower court’s decision to deny bail to 79 opposition activists, including Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Jameson Timba. The group was arrested in Harare last month for allegedly holding an unauthorized gathering, sparking outrage among human rights organizations.
The activists, charged with intent to promote public violence, have been detained for a month in what Amnesty International calls an “arbitrary” and “baseless” imprisonment. The rights group has demanded their immediate release, highlighting concerns about the erosion of civil liberties in Zimbabwe.
Defense lawyers have raised alarming allegations of police brutality, claiming some detainees sustained injuries during their arrest. The High Court judge, however, justified the continued detention, arguing that the activists were not “randomly” assembled on the day of their arrest.
The CCC has condemned the court’s decision as “unjust,” asserting that the regime is denying citizens their fundamental right to bail, which is enshrined in the constitution. This case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle between Zimbabwe’s government and opposition forces.
As tensions simmer, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights has vowed to explore further legal options to secure the activists’ release. This development underscores the complex political dynamics at play in Zimbabwe and raises questions about the state of democracy in the country.