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Monday, June 23, 2025
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Two councilors arrested for M31 protest

By Buhle Mhlaulo

Amidst the Bombshell Geza protest, councilor Philemon Mawere (51) of Gweru Urban and Parerenyatwa Nyika (44) of Vungu, along with six other demonstrators, were arrested by the ZRP Nehanda at Takwirira Primary School in Mkoba 17 on 31 March 2025 for participating in a demonstration intended to promote public violence.

According to the state outline, the victims are facing charges of participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace, or bigotry as defined in section 37 of the Criminal Law and Reform Act.

The state asserts that Mawere and Nyika of the Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC), elected officials, used their influence to gather residents for the protest.

The ZRP arrested five accused persons at the scene, and the other three were arrested at their homes.

The police report said four males and two females were among the two councilors.

The accused persons are Victor Changa (43), Movern Vurayayi (27), Wellington Chirozva (35), Jamson Magwizi (35), Mitchell Nyathi (25) and Sue Kombora (31).

The accused persons gathered at Takawira Primary School’s main gate in Mkoba 17, Gweru.

Five accused were arrested at the scene whilst the other three were later arrested at their home, but on the same day and prior to the arrest, they flashed placards with messages denouncing the President.

“ED MUST GO”, “ZVIGANDANDA MUST GO”, “DAMBUDZO IBVA NEMBAVA DZAKO,” “WABA ZVAKWANA,” “URIMBWA SAKA ENDA ZVAKO ED” and “OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW.”

The group also recorded photographs and video clips, which were later recovered from their cellphones.

The state insists that the demonstration was illegal and intended to undermine the authority of the President.

This case has rekindled debates among civil authorities in Zimbabwe and how far the system is willing to go in a silent evaluation.

Meanwhile, Nyathi, one of the accused persons of the demonstration, is spending nights in Shurugwi female prison with her three-month-old baby.

Her appeal for bail was denied by Provincial Magistrate Sam Chitumwa.

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