BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Prince Dubeko Sibanda, a 51-year-old politician and member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), appeared at the Harare Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with inciting public violence.
The magistrate ruled that his bail hearing will be heard on Friday at 11AM.
According to the state, Sibanda posted messages on WhatsApp groups, Twitter, and X handles, inciting people to shut down Harare in August.
Several witnesses are expected to testify that they received and responded to his messages.
Sibanda’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown on pro-democracy activists and opposition members, with at least over 100 people detained, according to Amnesty International.
In an interview, Vongai Tome, the CCC’s national incident reporting and welfare desk officer, said Sibanda was in good spirits and had not been tortured.
Sibanda’s case is one of several being heard at the Harare Magistrate’s Court, including those of other CCC members, such as CCC leaders, Jameson Timba and 77 others, who were remanded to Tuesday for trial continuation.
“We also had other cases going on at the Harare Magistrate’s Court, that is Hon Timba and the other 77 who were remanded to Tuesday, tomorrow at 9Am for trial continuation. We also have Hon Machingauta’s case which is actually in progress as we are speaking, and there is Munkuli from Kariba, who was at the court there where his charge is also similar, but we feel this is just a state weaponization.”
The situation has escalated since June, with security officials attacking activists and opposition party members, accusing them of trying to disrupt the just-ended SADC summit.
The CCC and human rights organizations continue to call for their release and an end to the persecution of opposition members in Zimbabwe.