Published: 21 hours ago

A Zanu-PF youth leader has spent nearly a month in remand prison after being charged over alleged remarks directed at President Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition to efforts to extend his tenure beyond 2028.

Tawanda Zange (37), a member of the party's political commissariat in Mutoko, Mashonaland East, was arrested on March 24 following a verbal altercation with another party official.

He is facing charges of disorderly conduct in a public place and criminal nuisance under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Prosecutors allege that Zange used "threatening, abusive and insulting" language against Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF during a dispute with neighbour Tinos Moyosvi (48), who is also a party official.

According to the State, Zange allegedly shouted slogans denouncing Zanu-PF and the government's "Vision 2030" development agenda, with remarks perceived as insulting to the President.

He was arrested shortly after the incident and subsequently denied bail by the Mutoko Magistrates Court.

On Monday, his lawyer Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights filed a renewed bail application, citing changed circumstances.

Chinopfukutwa argued that the charge had been reduced from undermining the authority of the President to disorderly conduct, a less serious offence. He also told the court that his client had provided an alternative address to address concerns about potential interference with witnesses.

The matter is still pending before the courts.
- newsday

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