Former Chitungwiza Mayor Lovemore Maiko has been released after being arrested and charged for allegedly leading a protest against the ruling ZANU PF party’s efforts to amend the Constitution to extend President Mnangagwa’s tenure.
Maiko, a former opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Councillor, was detained by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. He faced charges under Section 37(1)(a) of the Constitution, which criminalizes participating in gatherings intended to promote public violence, breaches of peace, or bigotry.
In court, prosecutors claimed that Maiko, along with about 50 unnamed accomplices—who have yet to be arrested—held an unauthorized gathering at Zengeza 3 Shopping Centre in Chitungwiza.
The protest was allegedly aimed at opposing the ruling ZANU PF party’s controversial push to extend President Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond 2028.
The prosecutors stated that Maiko and his group sang political songs and chanted slogans such as “2030 tazviramba,” “siyanai naye Chamisa,” and “Pasi na Mnangagwa,” which they translated to mean “No to 2030,” “Leave Chamisa alone,” and “Down with Mnangagwa.”
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According to reports, Maiko and his accomplices dispersed after the protest. Maiko, who was represented by lawyer Tapiwa Muchineripi from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, was granted bail on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Chitungwiza Magistrate Dennis Mangosi set the bail amount at $200 and required Maiko to report weekly to the ZRP St Mary’s Police Station in Chitungwiza every Friday.
Maiko was also instructed to remain at his residential address, refrain from interfering with state witnesses, and surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court at Chitungwiza Magistrates Court.
