The Harare Magistrates Court has acquitted human rights activists Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza, and Samuel Gwenzi of disorderly conduct, bringing to an end a year-long trial that attracted attention from rights groups.
Chere serves as Secretary General of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), Kwekweza is the Founder and Director of WELEAD Trust, and Gwenzi is the Director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors Platform.
The three were tried alongside Vusumuzi Moyo, Phillies Pikitayi, Delphine Gutsa, Simbarashe Blackson, Emmanuel Sitima, and Last Chinodya, all of whom were also cleared of the charges.
Sitima is the President of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU).
Chere, Kwekweza, and Gwenzi were forcibly removed from a plane at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport last year by 12 unidentified men while preparing to travel to Victoria Falls.
The activists reported being interrogated and detained, with Chere sustaining serious injuries from a beating.
The prosecution alleged that the group had taken part in an unlawful protest outside the Harare Magistrates Court on 27 June 2024, in solidarity with over 70 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists appearing in court that day.
The magistrate ruled that the state had not presented sufficient evidence to prove the case, resulting in the acquittal of all nine defendants.
More: ZimLive
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