HARARE – A heavy cloud of disappointment hangs over the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) today, as the High Court upheld the denial of bail for their interim leader, Jameson Timba, and 76 party activists. The decision, announced by Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, has been met with widespread condemnation from the CCC and its supporters, who view it as a blatant attempt to stifle dissent and undermine the party’s growing influence.
The activists, arrested on June 16th, are accused of holding an unsanctioned gathering and disorderly conduct. Their initial bail application was denied by magistrate Ruth Moyo, who ruled that they were likely to re-offend. The CCC, determined to secure their release, appealed the decision, but their hopes were dashed yesterday.
In a scathing judgment, Justice Mutevedzi stated that the lower court’s ruling was “not faulted,” echoing the sentiments of the magistrate. He dismissed the appeal, stating that “there was no misdirection in the court a quo’s overall assessment of the issues and its finding that the appellants were not proper candidates for admission to bail.”
The judge’s decision has sparked outrage among CCC supporters, who see it as a deliberate attempt to keep their leaders and activists behind bars. They argue that the charges against them are politically motivated, designed to weaken the CCC’s momentum ahead of the upcoming elections.
“This is a travesty of justice,” said a visibly distraught CCC spokesperson, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. “The charges against our members are baseless and politically driven. The government is using the courts to silence opposition voices and create an uneven playing field for the upcoming elections.”
The only glimmer of hope in the otherwise bleak judgment was the release of Maxwell Sande, a minor among the accused, into his father’s custody. Justice Mutevedzi acknowledged the unique circumstances of Sande’s case, stating that “the appeal can succeed because of his age.”
Sande’s father, Cecil Sande, was ordered to ensure his son’s attendance at all court proceedings and to comply with any further directives from the court.
The CCC has vowed to continue fighting for the release of its members, promising to explore all legal avenues available to them. They have also called upon the international community to monitor the situation closely and condemn the government’s alleged attempts to suppress dissent.
“We will not be deterred,” said the CCC spokesperson. “We will continue to fight for justice and for the right of our people to express their views freely. We believe in the power of the people and we are confident that we will eventually prevail.”
The decision comes at a time of heightened political tension in Zimbabwe, with the upcoming elections looming large. The CCC, a relatively new party, has emerged as a formidable challenger to the ruling ZANU-PF party, attracting a large following among disillusioned voters.
The government’s crackdown on the CCC, including the continued detention of its leaders and activists, is seen by many as an attempt to stifle the party’s growing popularity and maintain its grip on power.
The CCC’s plight has drawn international attention, with human rights groups and international observers expressing concern about the government’s actions.
