In Zimbabwe’s capital Harare on Thursday, police beat dozens of opposition supporters and arrested several others outside a court.
This occurred after Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party members were denied bail following their arrests two weeks ago.
Bail was denied by a Harare magistrate for Jameson Timba, the interim leader of the party, and 78 activists who were arrested on June 16 for allegedly holding an unauthorised political gathering.
Following the resignation of former leader Nelson Chamisa in January, who alleged that the CCC had been hijacked by the ruling ZANU-PF party, Timba stepped in as interim leader.
At the court entrance, police anti-riot units were deployed, and arrests swiftly followed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s warning that troublemakers would face consequences.
According to a Reuters reporter, a woman was arrested while holding a placard demanding the release of the activists.
Some individuals were seen being escorted into police vehicles, while others fled as officers wielded batons.
Following the online bail hearing, lawyer Agency Gumbo informed reporters outside the court that the activists were denied bail due to concerns they might incite public disturbances and interfere with witnesses in the state’s case.
Gumbo stated his intention to appeal the decision in the high court, emphasising, “We see no compelling reasons to deny bail to the accused individuals.”