15 of the 16 Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) members who were arrested on 12 January during a protest over poor salaries in Harare have been granted $5 000 bail each.
One of the protestors was granted free bail.
The accused appeared before Harare Magistrate Yeukai Dzuda charged with participating in a gathering with the intention to promote public violence, bigotry and breaches of peace as defined in Section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
In granting them bail, Dzuda considered the fact that the accused were not a threat to public security because no one was injured during the protest, and no weapons were found on the suspects.
The court also considered evidence by the investigation officer that there was no harm in granting them bail, and the accused could easily be traced through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The State had argued that if the accused were granted bail, they would flee the country for greener pastures.
Prosecutors also said their behaviour is consistent with that of people who are no longer interested in their jobs.
The teachers will be back in court on 17 February.