'Mugabe has died' allegations lands man into trouble

The MDC-Youth chairperson for Chivi, Costa Chikoto, has landed himself in trouble for alleging that President Robert Mugabe had died and calling celebrations to mark his alleged demise.

Chikoto was arrested on 11 February after reportedly saying: "Let's go and have fun, I understand Mugabe is dead, we shall really drink beer."

He is said to have uttered the words at Ringa Business centre in Chivi and was reportedly over-heard by a Zanu-PF youth activist who did not take the utterances lightly.

Chikoto's lawyer, Marufu Mandevere of Kadzere, Hungwe and Mandevere legal practitioners, said his client spent three days in police cells before he was released.

"My client was arrested on 11 February and released on 14 February to appear in court on 26 February. He appeared in court then and his case was referred to the Attorney-General (AG)'s office for prosecution. We are now waiting for the AG's authority to prosecute," he said.

Many Zimbabweans have been arrested and taken to court for allegedly insulting President Mugabe. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is representing over 50 individuals who have been taken to court for allegedly calling Mugabe names in anger or frustration.