The State Monday dropped treason charges against Munyaradzi Gwisai, the International Socialist Organisation (ISO) general coordinator, and five other ISO members, and instead preferred new charges against the activists.
Gwisai and his co-accused Antoinette Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Edson Chakuma, Hopewell Gumbo and Welcome Zimuto are now being charged with conspiracy to commit public violence.
Alternatively, the six ISO members will be charged with inciting public violence or participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence or unlawfully acting together to endanger, promote or expose to hatred, contempt or ridicule the President and the Government of Zimbabwe.
The new State papers were handed over to the accused’s lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, just before Attorney-General’s representative Edmore Nyazamba advised the matter was to be postponed.
Nyazamba said the regional magistrate who was supposed to preside over the case, Morgan Nemadire, had recused himself from the matter because one of the accused persons was known to him.
The case was, however, remanded to August 22 by regional magistrate William Bhila and would be assigned a new magistrate.
According to the State’s new charge, on February 19 this year, Gwisai and his colleagues allegedly convened an illegal gathering at Zimbabwe Labour Centre, 43 Julius Nyerere Way in Harare.
It is alleged they agreed to mobilise Zimbabweans to revolt against the government and demand the resignation of the President like what happened in Egypt.
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The State further alleges acting in common purpose, Munyaradzi and the ISO members distributed documents and showed videos of the uprising in Egypt and Tunisia.
By so doing, the State alleges, their actions were intended to endanger, promote or expose to hatred, contempt or ridicule the President and the Government of Zimbabwe.
