Zimbabwe court denies bail to opposition politician

A Zimbabwean court on Thursday denied bail to an opposition politician accused of organising protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa, saying he was instigating violence.

Jacob Ngarivhume was arrested on Monday alongside prominent investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on charges that they wanted to overthrow the government on July 31 through protests.

Mr Chin’ono's bail hearing was rolled over to Friday after the court adjourned early due to the dusk to dawn curfew imposed this week to slow the spread of Covid-19.

While denying Mr Ngarivhume bail, Harare magistrate Trynos Utawashe claimed the demonstrations would expose Zimbabweans to coronavirus.

"From reading of allegations, it is clear that he is not encouraging the public to conduct peaceful demonstrations,"Mr Utawashe said.

"The right to demonstrate is not absolute."

Activists say they plan to stage mass protests against top level corruption and bad governance.

Prosecutors say Mr Ngarivhume and Mr Chin’ono used Twitter to organise the protests. 

Zimbabwe is on the edge due to worsening standards of living with inflation now hovering at over 700 percent.

There is also growing discontent over unresolved corruption cases involving top government officials.

Mr Chin’ono angered authorities after he used his Twitter handle to expose alleged corruption cases in the procurement of Covid-19 medical supplies where the president’s family was implicated.

President Mnangagwa last month fired Health minister Obadiah Moyo who was arrested over the $60 million procurement scandal.