A Bulawayo magistrate has acquitted five Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) activists who were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in violation of Section 4(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The five activists, Partone Xaba (43) of Nkulumane, Akim Ndebele (32) of Cowdray Park, Ndabazelizwe Ncube (28) of Mzilikazi and Mongameli Mlotshwa (33) of Magwegwe West were on Friday acquitted by magistrate Adelaide Mbeure.
They were arrested in August for allegedly dancing and singing derogatory songs with tribal connotations outside the Bulawayo High Court. They were celebrating the release of Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni on bail.
In acquitting the five accused persons, Mbeure said the State failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. She ruled:
From the evidence before the court, the State has failed to prove a prima facie case against the accused persons and I hereby retain a verdict of not guilty and accordingly, they are acquitted.