Female protester faints in court

A female protester who is among the sixty-eight Zimbabwean protesters at court in Harare to apply for bail following their arrest during last Friday's demonstration has fainted.

The court proceedings were interrupted when one female prisoner fainted and later confesses that she had not eaten since morning.

State prosecutors said the charge faced by the activists was serious and is punishable by a sentence of not less that 10 years.

The protesters could face a lengthy remand jail time after the state today spiritedly opposed bail for the activists arguing that they will cause more disturbances if granted.

The state  said the accused who include journalists are members of #Tajamuka and that they burnt a Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) vehicle and stoned a police vehicle.

Added to that, the state also argued that the accused looted shops and disturbed order in the country.

A coalition of political parties and civil society groups called for the protest to demand for political reforms.

Police broke it up using tear gas and water cannon, despite a court ruling saying that it could go ahead.

Giving evidence as witness, a detective sergeant Chakama supported state's opposition of bail claiming that if the arrested are released,they will interfere with investigations and also intimidate other witnesses.

Chakama also said the arrested were seen "celebrating" with people during their Monday court appearance meaning that "they want to perpetrate more violence".

The activists are represented by renowned lawyer Harrison Nkomo.