“Shame on you”: Jacob Ngarivhume slams persecutors as state drops charges
HARARE – Charges against Jacob Ngarivhume, leader of the opposition party Transform Zimbabwe, and political activist Kevin Gonde have been withdrawn by the state, bringing an end to a year-long legal ordeal that saw Ngarivhume spend three months in pre-trial detention.
Ngarivhume was arrested on August 2, 2024, and subsequently held at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison while the state opposed his bail application. He remained on remand, appearing in court two times a week until the recent withdrawal of charges.
In a statement following the withdrawal, Ngarivhume asserted his innocence, stating he was “never at the said meeting because I am not a member of the CCC party.”
He further claimed that his persecution stemmed from his stance against corruption.
He also directly addressed those he believes were responsible for his ordeal, declaring, “Shame on you, shame shame shame.”
“After a year of persecution, they withdraw charges. I was never at the said meeting because l am not a member of the CCC party. They knew it but rather they have always chosen to persecute me because I stand up to corruption,” Ngarivhume stated.
“Shame on you, shame shame shame.”
Ngarivhume expressed gratitude to citizens who supported him and acknowledged the efforts of his legal team, Tonderai Bhatasara and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
“I want to appreciate all citizens who stood with me throughout this unjust and cruel persecution. I appreciate the hard work of my legal team, Tonderai Bhatasara and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who supported my legal fight against this senseless persecution.
“The struggle continues, we keep fighting until we achieve a Zimbabwe good for us all.”
His arrest in August 2024 occurred in the run-up to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state summit in Harare, amid government concerns over potential protests by pro-democracy activists.
At the time, over 100 activists were reportedly detained across the country.
Ngarivhume was accused of disorderly conduct in a public place and participating in an illegal gathering with intent to promote public violence, charges he consistently denied.
He was eventually granted bail by the Harare High Court in October 2024 by Justice Emilia Muchawa, after 82 days in pre-trial incarceration.
Bail was set at US$100, with conditions including the surrender of his passport and a prohibition against posting on the social media platform, X.
Nehanda radio
