{"id":116748,"date":"2026-04-28T20:35:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:35:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/court-acquits-harare-man-over-alleged-protest-incitement"},"modified":"2026-04-28T22:47:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T20:47:06","slug":"court-acquits-harare-man-over-alleged-protest-incitement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zimbabwe\/all-news\/court-acquits-harare-man-over-alleged-protest-incitement","title":{"rendered":"Court acquits Harare man over alleged protest incitement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. <\/strong><\/span>A Harare magistrate has acquitted a 60-year-old man who was facing charges of inciting public violence after allegedly mobilising colleagues to join an anti-government protest linked to calls by outspoken war veteran Blessed Geza.<\/p>\n

Fidelis Garafa was arrested on November 28, 2025 and charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.<\/p>\n

The State alleged that Garafa encouraged co-workers\u2014Charles Nyamukacha, Adrian Nyamande and Mathias Manhimbe\u2014to follow Studio 7 broadcasts backing a planned March 31, 2025 demonstration aimed at removing President Emmerson Mnangagwa.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors told the court that Garafa said: \u201cmangwana tirikuenda kunomacha, mukuru wenyika tirikuda kumubvisa,\u201d translated as, \u201cTomorrow we will march; we want to remove the President.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was further alleged that he absented himself from work on the day of the protest and travelled to central Harare, where he was arrested alongside other demonstrators.<\/p>\n

However, delivering his ruling at the Mbare Magistrates\u2019 Court, magistrate Tinashe Ndokera dismissed the case, citing lack of evidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no evidence that the accused incited anyone to participate in a gathering with intent to cause public violence,\u201d Ndokera ruled.<\/p>\n

He added that State witnesses only indicated that Garafa expressed his intention to join the protest, not that he persuaded others to do so.<\/p>\n

Garafa, represented by Kossam Ncube and Emmanuel Lawrence Chibwe of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, was discharged at the close of the State\u2019s case.<\/p>\n

The ruling adds to a growing number of cases in which courts have dismissed charges linked to the March 2025 protests, which authorities deemed unlawful, while critics say they reflect rising public discontent over the country\u2019s political and economic situation.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe<\/span> Follow Africa-Press<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A Harare magistrate has acquitted a 60-year-old man who was facing charges of inciting public violence after allegedly mobilising colleagues to join an anti-government protest linked to calls by outspoken war veteran Blessed Geza. Fidelis Garafa was arrested on November 28, 2025 and charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. 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