Heavy security as Harare court denies bail for Avondale 78

HARARE – The Harare Magistrates Court has denied bail for Jameson Timba and 77 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists amid heavy police presence, following threats of protests.

The group, known as the Avondale 78, will remain in custody until July 10, 2024. Timba, the interim leader of a CCC faction, and the activists were arrested on June 16 for allegedly holding an unauthorized meeting and have been languishing in remand prison since then. CCC has vowed to continue fighting for their release.

Tense scenes unfolded outside the Harare Magistrates Court after the state decided to keep Timba and the other activists in jail “for security reasons.” A magistrate then dismissed their bail applications during a virtual hearing.

The bail hearing, initially postponed due to the state’s failure to file submissions on time, saw intense security measures. CCC Hatcliffe Member of Parliament and lawyer Agency Gumbo remarked on the uncharacteristic police presence, stating, “We were surprised to see such a heavy presence of police.”

The activists face charges of promoting violence, breaches of peace, and disorderly conduct from a June 16 assembly at Timba’s residence in Harare. Outside the court, CCC supporters loyal to Nelson Chamisa demonstrated in solidarity with the detained activists. Outside the court, police detained a woman holding a “Free Timba” placard.

In a statement, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe identified the woman as, “Mai Hondongwa, wife of our Provincial leader Teacher Hondongwa. She is accused of holding a placard demanding her husband’s release. Hondongwa, a disabled teacher, is facing difficult conditions in prison, unable to eat or bathe without his wife’s assistance.”

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