The trial of avowed supporter of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, businessman and activist Energy Mutodi failed to take off after the State referred the docket back to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) for further management. Mutodi (39) was arrested in August after he shared a Facebook post in which he suggested that a military coup was likely if President Robert Mugabe was not careful in choosing his successor. He was charged with causing disaffection in the defence forces and insulting former president Robert Mugabe.
Mutodi’s trial has failed to start on a number of occasions, always at the State’s instance. He is being represented by prominent human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa. However, as the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, later on, went to intervene in politics by launching Operation Restore Legacy, it will be interesting to see how the case proceeds.
Mutodi had posted:
While a military takeover may be far-fetched in Zimbabwe, it is important for … Mugabe needs to be careful in naming his successor. Any suspicion of unfairness or discrimination on account of tribalism or factionalism may backfire.
There are key stakeholders that need to be consulted, among them the military and the whole security establishment called the Joint Operations Command that is chaired by Vice-President Mnangagwa.
More: New Zimbabwe
He had a point after all …it’s jus sad there is freedom of speech in Zim and no freedom aftee speech