Harare – Ninety-eight individuals appeared in court on Tuesday, facing charges of participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, following their alleged involvement in anti-government protests on March 31. The group has been remanded in custody until April 10, when a ruling on their bail application is expected.
The arrests follow calls for demonstrations against President Emmerson Mnangagwa by expelled Zanu-PF Central Committee member and war veteran Blessed Geza.
Of those arrested, 95 appeared before provincial magistrate Isheunesu Matova, while three others – Moreblessing Nkomo, Jenifer Chimange, and Sthabile Maduve – appeared separately before provincial magistrate Ruth Moyo. The trio was apprehended at the CoppaCabana bus terminus, while the remaining 95 were arrested at Robert Mugabe Square, also known as Freedom Square.
Prosecutors have opposed bail for all 98 individuals. Lawyers representing the accused and prosecutors will now file written bail arguments before the court delivers its verdict on April 10.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on March 31, 2025, at approximately 9:20 AM, the accused gathered at Robert Mugabe Square with the intention of marching through the streets of Harare.
The NPA alleges that the group also intended to proceed “to the State House of Zimbabwe and forcibly remove the constitutionally elected President Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
The NPA further claims: “The accused were making their vows of removing the President, saying, ‘enough is enough, Mnangagwa must go, ED must go nezvigananda zvake. Madzibaba veshanduko huyai mutitungamirire, comrade Geza huyai mutitungamirire’ and whistled.”
The prosecution asserts that police officers, deployed to maintain order, observed approximately 200 people gathered at the square and approached the group.
“The accused piled stones, bricks and tyres along Robert Mugabe road,” according to the NPA. “They threw stones towards the police officers whilst singing Hatidi zvekupihwa order nemasasikamu. They also took pictures and videos which they posted on various social media platforms.”
The prosecution states that individuals one to 94 were arrested at the crime scene, while accused 95 was arrested at his residence after being identified from circulating pictures and videos.
Meanwhile, Zimbabweans also took to the streets in Pretoria, South Africa, protesting against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government and the extension of his term in office.
The protesters first gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where they pleaded with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene, DW Africa reported.
They then marched to the Zimbabwean embassy, demanding the immediate resignation of Mnangagwa and his administration.
“Mnangagwa must go with his cabinet—we are suffering,” said one protester.
“I am saying to Mnangagwa, can you please step down?” another protester added.
The leader of the protest, Silwangani Ncube, also weighed in, saying, “Please, Mnangagwa, the honorable thing you can do now is step down.”
In an interview with SABC News, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to South Africa David Hamadziripi dismissed any tensions in the country, saying it was just social media.
“Everything is normal, and what is on social media is not reality, there is nothing happening in Zimbabwe, everything is normal,” he said.
In Harare, a separate group of protesters gathered at Robert Mugabe Square, where they were dispersed by police. They later reappeared along Rotten Row, barricading the road and chanting songs rejecting Mnangagwa’s “2030 agenda.” Police again dispersed them using water cannons and teargas.
A large police deployment in Harare and other cities on Monday largely neutralised a call by war veterans for large protests against plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule and rampant corruption.
Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party said in January that it wanted to extend Mnangagwa’s term in office by two years until 2030.
Eighty-two-year-old Mnangagwa, who first came to power in 2017 after his long-term mentor Robert Mugabe was deposed in a military coup, is serving his final term.
Independence war veterans led by Blessed Geza previously supported Mnangagwa but have turned against him, accusing him of seeking to cling to power.
The 98 accused will remain in custody until April 10, when the court is expected to rule on their bail applications.
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