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State withdraws public violence charge against Prince Dubeko
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Former Binga North legislator Prince Dubeko Sibanda walked out of court a free man on Wednesday after the State withdrew public violence charges that had been leveled against him.
Sibanda's lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, confirmed the withdrawal of the charges, adding that the State did not provide reasons for its decision before the matter could even proceed to a plea.
The charges had stemmed from allegations that, between August 1 and 16 of the previous year, Sibanda used his social media platform and CCC WhatsApp groups to incite opposition members to engage in violent protests across the country. The protests were allegedly aimed at disrupting the Sadc Summit, which was held in Harare later that month. According to the State, the incitement included encouraging road blockages, burning shops, and tyres, as part of demands for SADC intervention to address Zimbabwe's disputed electoral process.
Sibanda, who was re-elected as the MP for Binga North in the 2023 general election, was represented by Harare-based lawyer Alec Muchadehama throughout the case.
However, his time in office was short-lived. After the election, Sibanda, alongside several other opposition MPs, was controversially recalled by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claimed to be the interim secretary-general of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Sibanda's acquittal comes amid growing political tensions, but the charges against him have now been dismissed, leaving him free of the accusations.
Sibanda's lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, confirmed the withdrawal of the charges, adding that the State did not provide reasons for its decision before the matter could even proceed to a plea.
The charges had stemmed from allegations that, between August 1 and 16 of the previous year, Sibanda used his social media platform and CCC WhatsApp groups to incite opposition members to engage in violent protests across the country. The protests were allegedly aimed at disrupting the Sadc Summit, which was held in Harare later that month. According to the State, the incitement included encouraging road blockages, burning shops, and tyres, as part of demands for SADC intervention to address Zimbabwe's disputed electoral process.
However, his time in office was short-lived. After the election, Sibanda, alongside several other opposition MPs, was controversially recalled by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claimed to be the interim secretary-general of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Sibanda's acquittal comes amid growing political tensions, but the charges against him have now been dismissed, leaving him free of the accusations.
Source - newsday
