Police Launch Manhunt For “Madzibaba Veshanduko” Over Incitement, Public Violence

Police have launched a manhunt for opposition activist Godfrey Karembera, also known as Madzibaba Veshanduko, for allegedly breaking sections of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.

In a statement on Sunday, 19 October, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said Karembera, 47, and Kudzai Weston Saruwaka fled from officers during a high-speed chase while distributing fliers in the Machipisa, Glenview, and Budiriro suburbs. The statement reads:

“The ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Godfrey Karembera (47) aka Madzibaba Eshanduko and Kudzai Weston Saruwaka for contravening Section 187 as read with Section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.

“The duo ran away from Police officers during a high-speed chase while distributing fliers in Machipisa, Glenview and Budiriro suburbs recently.”

Section 187 of the Act defines incitement to commit a crime, stating that any person who communicates with another intending to persuade or induce them to commit a crime, or realises there is a real risk that the other person may be persuaded, can be guilty of incitement, even if the person being incited does not act on it or is unaware it constitutes a crime.

The two activists are also being investigated under Section 36, which deals with public violence. The law states that anyone who, acting with others, forcibly disturbs public peace or invades the rights of others, intending or realising that such disturbance may occur, is guilty of public violence.

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ZRP Declares Activist Madzibaba Veshanduko Wanted We Supported Madzibaba Veshanduko, We Won’t Turn It Into PR – Chamisa