Ninety-eight (98) people arrested for their alleged involvement in the March 31 anti-government protests appeared in court on Tuesday, April 1, facing charges of participating in a gathering with the intent to promote public violence.
Of the group, 95 were arrested in an open space near the Rainbow Towers Hotel, known as Freedom Square. They were brought before Harare provincial magistrate Isheunesu Matova, who remanded them to April 10 for a bail ruling.
The remaining three were arrested at the CoppaCabana bus terminus and appeared before provincial magistrate Ruth Moyo, who remanded them to April 4 for a bail ruling and trial.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) opposed bail for all the accused.
Lawyers representing the 95 detainees and prosecutors will submit written bail arguments, with the court scheduled to deliver its decision on April 10.
Prosecutors allege that on March 31, 2025, at around 9:20 AM, the group gathered at Freedom Square intending to march through the streets of Harare.
They are also accused of planning to march to the State House to forcibly remove President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is constitutionally elected. The NPA said:
The accused were making their vows of removing the president saying ‘enough is enough, Mnangagwa must go, ED must go nezvigananda zvake. Madzibaba Veshanduko huyai mutitungamirire, Comrade Geza huyai mutitungamirire’ and whistled.
Police officers who were deployed for maintenance of order observed about two hundred 200 people gathered and approached the group.
The accused threw stones, bricks and tyres along Robert Mugabe Road. They threw stones towards the police officers whilst singing ‘Hatidi zvekupihwa order nemasasikamu.’ They also took themselves pictures and videos which they posted on various social media platforms.
The accused one to 94 were arrested at the crime scene while accused 95 was arrested at his residence through identification from circulating pictures and videos.
Blessed Geza, a war veteran and vocal government critic, called for a nationwide uprising on March 31, 2025, aiming to force President Emmerson Mnangagwa out of power.
His movement gained attention, but instead of mass protests, the day was marked by nationwide stayaways, where many citizens refrained from going to work.
However, Geza abruptly called off the protests, citing intelligence reports that Major Sean Mnangagwa, the president’s son, was allegedly planning to plant bombs and frame him for terrorism.
Geza, who was expelled from ZANU-PF, has been vocal about corruption and economic mismanagement under Mnangagwa’s rule.
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