Own Correspondent|Harare magistrate recently freed on bail activist Makomborero Haruzivishe who was arrested for allegedly jeering police officers during a recent operation to rid the capital, Harare, of street vendors.

Haruzivishe, who is a pro-democracy campaigner, secured bail to the tune of $200 when he appeared before Harare magistrate Wongai Muchuchuti on charges of inciting public violence and resisting arrest.

He has been charged under the cumbersome Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act used by authorities to suppress dissent.

Prosecutors alleged Haruzivishe incited some vendors to commit public violence by whistling at them when some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers were on an operation to round up informal traders in Harare’s central business district (CBD) last Wednesday

Haruzivishe, the prosecutors charged, also resisted arrest by some police officers who wanted to apprehend him.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is representing him.

Haruzivishe returns to court on Wednesday, where his trial is scheduled to commence.

Authorities allege informal trade has resulted in an escalation of petty crime and the emergence of so-called black market traders worsening the country’s financial crisis.