News / National
Biti set for Mutare court appearance
23 Mar 2026 at 22:32hrs |
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Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) convener Tendai Biti and programmes director Morgan Ncube are set to appear at Mutare Magistrates Court on Monday after being arrested on Saturday by armed police.
The two are currently being held at Mutare Central Police Station and face charges under the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act for allegedly failing to notify authorities of a meeting. The CDF has dismissed the charge as baseless, arguing that the law does not require notification for private meetings.
"The Maintenance of Peace and Order Act specifically excludes private meetings from the jurisdiction of the Zimbabwe Republic Police," the organisation said in a statement, insisting that no law was violated.
The arrests come amid heightened political tensions surrounding the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, which is currently under parliamentary consideration. The proposed changes include removing direct presidential elections and extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years—proposals that critics argue would concentrate power and weaken key democratic institutions.
The CDF, which Biti co-founded, has been a leading voice opposing the bill. The group has described the arrests as an attempt to suppress dissent and shrink democratic space.
"These arbitrary arrests are a calculated act to silence those opposed to the constitutional amendments," the group said, calling for the immediate release of Biti and Ncube.
The developments have also drawn broader civil society concern, with groups urging public participation in the ongoing debate over the constitutional changes. Meanwhile, tensions escalated further after reports emerged that Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leader Dylan Cole was allegedly detained during a university meeting opposing the bill, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
As the court appearance approaches, the case is expected to draw significant public and political attention, reflecting the intensifying national debate over constitutional reform and civil liberties.
The two are currently being held at Mutare Central Police Station and face charges under the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act for allegedly failing to notify authorities of a meeting. The CDF has dismissed the charge as baseless, arguing that the law does not require notification for private meetings.
"The Maintenance of Peace and Order Act specifically excludes private meetings from the jurisdiction of the Zimbabwe Republic Police," the organisation said in a statement, insisting that no law was violated.
The arrests come amid heightened political tensions surrounding the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, which is currently under parliamentary consideration. The proposed changes include removing direct presidential elections and extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years—proposals that critics argue would concentrate power and weaken key democratic institutions.
"These arbitrary arrests are a calculated act to silence those opposed to the constitutional amendments," the group said, calling for the immediate release of Biti and Ncube.
The developments have also drawn broader civil society concern, with groups urging public participation in the ongoing debate over the constitutional changes. Meanwhile, tensions escalated further after reports emerged that Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leader Dylan Cole was allegedly detained during a university meeting opposing the bill, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
As the court appearance approaches, the case is expected to draw significant public and political attention, reflecting the intensifying national debate over constitutional reform and civil liberties.
Source - Zimlive
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