The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has secured the release of pro-democracy activist Emmanuel Sitima, who was granted bail by Mbare Magistrate Tinashe Ndokera after spending more than two months in pre-trial detention.
Sitima, a former leader of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), had been in custody for 64 days following his arrest by Zimbabwe Republic Police officers on 14 May 2026.
He was charged with malicious damage to property under section 140 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, as well as disorderly conduct in a public place under section 41(a) of the same law.
Prosecutors alleged that Sitima threw flyers bearing the message “Save Zimbabwe Campaign, No to 2030” at a residence in Harare and also threw stones at the property, allegedly breaking a window pane valued at US$10.
He was initially denied bail at the Mbare Magistrates Court and later appealed to the High Court, but his application was dismissed.
His lawyers, Arnold Tsunga and Jeremiah Bamu of ZLHR, subsequently filed a fresh bail application at the magistrates’ court, citing changed circumstances, including the release of his co-accused, Takunda Mhuka, by the High Court.
On Wednesday, 17 June 2026, Magistrate Ndokera granted Sitima US$100 bail. He was ordered to reside at his given address, report to a local police station every two weeks, and refrain from interfering with State witnesses.
Meanwhile, Mhuka, also a pro-democracy campaigner, was granted US$100 bail by High Court Judge Justice Esther Muremba on 11 June 2026. He was also ordered to report regularly to the police, remain at his stated residence, and avoid contact with State witnesses.
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