High Court Frees Jailed Rural Teacher, Sheila Chisirimunhu

Below is the full statement by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights on the granting of bail by the High Court to jailed Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and Masvingo teacher Shilla Chisirimunhu.

HIGH COURT ENDS TEACHER’S 18-DAY DETENTION OVER POOR SALARY PROTEST

MASVINGO High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo on Tuesday 5 January 2021 ended the 18-day detention of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) leader and Masvingo teacher Shilla Chisirimunhu, who had been sentenced to serve 16 months in prison after she was convicted for participating in a protest demanding improved salaries and working conditions for teachers.

The 53-year-old Chisirimunhu, who is a widow, and is represented by Martin Mureri of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, petitioned the Masvingo High Court on 31 December 2020 seeking to be admitted on bail pending the determination and outcome of her appeal against both conviction and sentence.

The ARTUZ leader was sentenced to serve 16 months in prison after she was convicted on 18 December 2020 by Masvingo Magistrate Mbonisi Ndlovu and found guilty of participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry as defined in section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

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She was arrested in June 2020 together with Obert Masaraure, the ARTUZ President, after they allegedly participated in a demonstration held in Masvingo, where teachers protested against poor salaries and unfavourable working conditions and demanded to be paid a monthly salary amounting to US$520.

Her appeal against both conviction and sentence, which was filed by Mureri at Masvingo High Court is yet to be set down for hearing.

While Chisirimunhu was jailed, Masaraure, who had also been on trial facing the same charges of participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry as defined in section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, was acquitted by Magistrate Ndlovu.

On Tuesday 5 January 2021, Justice Wamambo ordered Chisirimunhu to pay bail amounting to RTGS$2 000 and to report at Chesvingo Police Station in Masvingo once every last Friday of the month.

Justice Wamambo also ordered Chisirimunhu to continue residing at her given residential address until the finalisation of her appeal lodged at Masvingo High Court against both conviction and sentence.

ENDS