By Staff Reporter
MUTARE man who arrested last month for blaming President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his suffering, has finally been granted bail.
Elroy Anesu Muchaya (26) from Sakubva, a High Density suburb in Mutare spent close to a month in detention.
He was arrested on September 6, 2023, under allegations of attributing his suffering to Mnangagwa.
Muchaya was legally represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
He faced charges of undermining the authority of or insulting the President, as specified in section 33(2)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
“Muchaya was released from prison on 5 October 2023 on free bail granted by Mutare Magistrate Prisca Manhibi, after his lawyers Chris Ndlovu of Zimbabwe Lawyers from Human Rights and Takunda Musara of Gonese Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, challenged his continued detention in jail and applied for his release,” said ZLHR.
According to the prosecutors, on the early morning of September 6, 2023, Muchaya visited the ZRP Mutare Traffic Charge Office, where Ignatius Maziveyi, a ZRP officer, was on duty.
Allegedly, he stood on the counter and removed Mnangagwa’s portrait, uttering the words, “Munhu uyu arikukonzeresa kuti nditambure” (This person is causing my suffering).
The prosecutors contended that Muchaya’s statements were deemed unlawful, abusive, indecent, and obscene, and he had no right to behave in the manner he allegedly did. Muchaya is scheduled to appear in court again on October 19, 2023.
