Harare, Zimbabwe – 1 April 2025
By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Ninety-five Zimbabwean citizens have been arrested in connection with a mass protest held on 31 March 2025 at Robert Mugabe Square (Freedom Square) in Harare, where demonstrators allegedly attempted to march to the State House demanding the forcible removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Court documents obtained by this publication provide extensive detail about the charges, the state’s evidence, and the police’s opposition to bail.
Mass Protest and Allegations of Attempted Insurrection
According to Annexure “B” to ZRP Form 242, the group assembled at approximately 0920hours and planned to march through Harare before proceeding to the State House. Police say the aim was to “forcibly remove the constitutionally elected President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
During the demonstration, participants allegedly chanted slogans such as:
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! MNANGAGWA NGAABVE PAHUPUREZIDENDI, MNANGAGWA MUST GO! ED MUST GO NEZVIGANANDA ZVAKE! MADZIBABA WESHANDUKO HUYAYI MUTITUNGAMIRIRE! COMRADE GEZA HUYAI MUTITUNGAMIRIRE!”
Officers deployed to maintain order observed around 200 people gathering, and according to the police, some demonstrators threw stones, bricks, and tyres at officers along Robert Mugabe Road while singing:
“Hatidi zvekupiihwa order nemasasi kamu”
(Translation: “We don’t want to be given instructions by fools.”)
Police allege that several accused took pictures and videos during the protest and posted them to social media.
Affidavit from CID Law and Order Investigating Officer
A sworn affidavit by Detective Sergeant Lovemore Chisi of the CID Law and Order Harare unit forms the core of the state’s case. Chisi states that he has been in the force for 14 years, with eight years in investigations, and that the protest was allegedly orchestrated by opposition activists Godfrey Karembera and Blessed Runesu Geza.
Chisi opposes bail on the grounds that the accused:
• Face a serious charge under Section 37(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, punishable by up to five years in prison.
• Were part of a WhatsApp group named “Nyokayemabhunu” in which some participants allegedly threatened to assault police officers investigating the case.
• Are likely to reoffend as their stated mission to remove the President remains unfulfilled.
• Have accomplices still at large whose arrests could be hindered by the release of those already detained.
Chisi also claims that if released, state witnesses may be unwilling to testify out of fear, jeopardizing the administration of justice.
Bail Form: Formal Opposition and Further Allegations
In the Section C Bail Opposition Form, police reinforce their concerns, stating that:
• Some of the accused have previous convictions or pending cases (though details are “to be ascertained”).
• All accused are likely to abscond due to the severity of the offence and potential sentence.
• The Nyokayemabhunu group was administered by Knox Chiwer using a South African-registered number: +27749******, further complicating the matter due to cross-border digital evidence.
The police estimate 20 witnesses will testify and have requested that the investigation be concluded by 15 April 2025.
Request for Remand: Charges and Evidence
In the official ZRP Form 242 – Request for Remand, the accused are formally charged with:
“Participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry” under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
The form outlines three key pieces of evidence:
1. Accused were positively identified at the protest scene.
2. Social media evidence, including posts on the Nyokayemabhunu WhatsApp group.
3. Several eyewitnesses have been lined up to testify.
Notably, no property was reported as stolen or damaged.
Who Is In Custody?
According to police records:
• Accused persons 1 through 94 were arrested at the scene.
• Accused 95 was arrested at home following identification from online videos and circulated images.
Implications and Political Reactions
The arrests come amid growing tensions over economic hardships and political repression. Civil society groups have already begun raising alarm about the scale of the arrests and the heavy-handed charges. Opposition parties have yet to officially respond, but social media has been ablaze with commentary on what many are calling a “new wave of authoritarianism.”
Legal experts have warned that the invocation of Section 37(1)(a)(i)—a broad public order offence—could set a chilling precedent for freedom of assembly.
This is a developing story. We will provide updates as the case moves through the courts and further details emerge about the accused, the alleged organisers, and the state’s strategy.- ZimEye