High Court Judge, Justice Pisirai Kwenda has reserved judgment in an application for bail pending appeal filed by the incarcerated leader of the Transform Zimbabwe partJacob Ngarivhume.
Ngarivhume was convicted of inciting violence and sentenced to 48 months in prison after leading and organizing the 31 July 2020 anti-corruption protests.
He was accused of using his Twitter handle to convene the protests, which were quashed by security forces.
Ngarivhume’s lawyers filed an application for bail pending appeal, which was heard by Judge Kwenda on 6 June 2023.
The judge said he needed time to review the submissions by the State and the defense before making a decision.
Ngarivhume’s conviction and sentencing have been met with widespread criticism from human rights groups and opposition politicians. They have accused the government of using the courts to silence dissent.
The case has also raised concerns about the freedom of expression in Zimbabwe. Ngarivhume’s lawyers have argued that his tweets did not incite violence, and that he was simply exercising his right to freedom of expression.
The High Court’s decision in Ngarivhume’s bail application will be closely watched by observers of Zimbabwe’s political scene. A decision to grant bail would be seen as a victory for Ngarivhume and his supporters, and a sign that the government is willing to respect the right to freedom of expression.
A decision to deny bail would be seen as a setback for Ngarivhume and his supporters, and a sign that the government is determined to silence dissent.
