Court Withdraws Charges Against Activists in CAB3 and Geza Protest Cases

Gweru — The Gweru Magistrates’ Court has withdrawn charges in two separate cases involving opposition activists and civic figures who had been arrested in connection with alleged unsanctioned gatherings and demonstrations critical of government policies.

In the first matter, charges against Alois Ziumbwa and 13 others were withdrawn before plea late August 2026.

The group was arrested on 28 March 2026 at Matende Bar near Mkoba Township in Gweru.

Police accused the 14 individuals of convening an unsanctioned gathering to oppose Constitutional Amendment Bill No.3 (CAB3), which has since been passed into law, in alleged violation of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA).

The accused, who were granted bail pending finalisation of the matter, also included Tendai Munhamo, Auther Kalaza, Judith Sibanda, Malvin Chikwekwete, Calvin Maganga, Clive Nyathi, Gilson Chibaya, former Chiundura Member of Parliament Livingston Chimina, Prince Muzhanda, Nicholas Chitambudza, Otilia Mkandla, Tarisai Machando and Wellington Chimoto.

Reports at the time indicated that officers from the Gweru Urban District Reaction Group acted on intelligence and detained the group at the venue before they could fully proceed with the meeting.

Some participants were said to have worn white caps bearing the phrase “God is on it.”

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) had previously condemned the arrests, arguing that they violated constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and association amid heightened political tension over the proposed constitutional changes, which include provisions to extend the presidential term.

In a related development, charges against Victor Changa and seven others were also withdrawn before plea on 27 August 2026.

The group, which included two Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillors, was arrested around 31 March 2025 in connection with an alleged unsanctioned demonstration in the Mkoba area linked to 31 March calls by the late war veteran Blessed “Bombshell” Geza.

The accused were Phillion Mawere (CCC Councillor for Gweru Urban), Parerenyatwa Nyika (CCC Councillor for Vungu), Victor Changa, Movern Vurayayi, Wellington Chirozva, Jamson Mugwisi, Sue Kombora and Mitchell Nyathi.

They faced allegations of participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence or breach of the peace after allegedly staging a demonstration, waving placards critical of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and recording video clips.

Placard messages allegedly included phrases such as “ED must go,” “Zvigananda must go” and similar slogans.

Geza, a former Zanu PF Central Committee member who was expelled from the party in early 2025, had publicly called for nationwide protests on 31 March 2025 demanding the President’s resignation over allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

The calls largely resulted in a stay-away in many centres, with limited street activity in some areas.

Geza, who remained a fugitive facing multiple charges, died on 6 February 2026 in South Africa.

The Gweru accused were initially denied bail, with one of the female accused, Mitchell Nyathi, remanded alongside her then three-month-old baby.

They were later released on bail.

Both groups had been out on bail while the cases remained pending.

The cases formed part of a broader series of arrests linked to opposition to the then CAB3 and earlier calls for political change.

The new Constitutional Amendment Act No. (CAA3) has remained a contentious issue in Zimbabwean politics, with critics arguing it altered key constitutional provisions, including term lengths, while supporters maintain the changes are necessary for governance continuity.

Legal practitioners monitoring the matters noted that withdrawals before plea are not uncommon when the State assesses the strength of available evidence or other prosecutorial considerations.