Image Credit: T.P Tseisi
United States citizen and projects officer at Magamba Network Trust, Martha O’Donovan has been removed from remand on charges of plotting to overthrow former President Robert Mugabe’s government using Twitter. O’Donovan was removed from remand after her lawyer Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights made an application for removal from remand after the State failed to provide her with a trial date. If the State decides to proceed with the trial at a later date they will have to proceed by means of summons. Martha will now get her passport back and enjoy her freedom. The charges were dismissed by Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.
O’Donovan was arrested in early November 2017 and was charged with
- Subverting a constitutional government through Masterminding a social media campaign to overthrow the government by unconstitutional means, with the campaign allegedly being run under the social media accounts; @Matigary, @OpenparlyZim and Magamba Network Trust.
- Undermining the authority of and insulting the authority of the president by tweeting as @Matigary a tweet that read “We’re being led by a selfish and sick man”.
She had to brave 5 nights at Chikurubi Female Prison before she was granted bail by High Court judge Justice Clement Phiri. Less than a week after she was granted bail, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces launched the military intervention codenamed Operation Restore Legacy which resulted in the fall of Mugabe.
It is ironic that the charges against Martha were not withdrawn as the case had been overtaken by events. Martha was represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights’ Rose Hanzi and Obey Shava.
Back to top