Zimbabwe authorities target more opposition party supporters over anti-Zec protest

ZIMBABWEAN authorities have intensified their crackdown on perceived opposition political party supporters after arresting a Harare man and charged him with committing public violence for allegedly participating in protests staged in the capital city last month over delays in announcing the results of harmonised elections.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers arrested Wellington Mariga on Tuesday in central Harare and charged him with public violence as defined in section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

ZRP officers alleged that Mariga, who is represented by Gift Mtisi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, engaged in acts of violence in Harare's Central Business District on Wednesday 01 August 2018 together with some MDC Alliance party supporters during a demonstration held on Wednesday 01 August 2018 in the capital city to protest against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's management of the harmonised elections held on Monday 30 July 2018, which reportedly resulted in the destruction of property and left six people dead after they were shot by some members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

Mariga was granted $100 bail on Wednesday 19 September 2018 by Harare Magistrate Ruramai Chitumbura and ordered to report once a week on Fridays at the CID Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police Station.

He becomes the latest person to be charged with committing public violence during the elections protest following the arrest of more than 30 people including Tendai Biti, one of the MDC Alliance party leaders.