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On Monday (January 16), 25 Zimbabwean opposition activists arrived in a truck at the Harare Magistrate’s Court. Police raided the home of Costa Macingauta, a member of the opposition Citizens Coalition (CCC), on Saturday.
The Citizens Coalition for Change party condemned the arrests and claimed its members’ meetings were closed-door gatherings.
The activist’s lawyer told reporters the state was against bail.
“The state has been charged with violating Section 37 of the Criminal Code Codification and Reform Act, which involves participating in an illegal assembly for the purpose of encouraging or inciting public violence,” said Wilfred Mandinde. clarified. “Of the 25 people arrested, one was a 17-year-old minor, and we were able to secure the release of this minor in parental custody.”
The CCC said over the weekend that MP Macingauta, his wife and 17-year-old daughter would be taken away after being beaten.
Police declined to comment. It was unclear if Macingauta was among those who appeared in court on Monday.
Critics have complained of an increased crackdown on dissent and the media ahead of this year’s general elections.
A spokeswoman for the Citizens Coalition for Change CCC explained that the arrest was “calculated to persecute its members”.
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