Bindura Man (24) Set Free For Insulting President Mnangagwa
A Bindura resident, Tinotenda Majuru (24), was recently acquitted on charges of undermining the authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Majuru appeared before Bindura Magistrate Ruramai Chitumbura on charges of undermining the authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa as defined in Section 33(2)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Majuru, who is self-employed as a car washer at Chiwaridzo Business Centre, allegedly snatched beer and a ZANU PF party-branded cap from another resident at a local beer hall.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Majuru was accused of using some derogatory words in criticising President Mnangagwa and his ruling ZANU PF party during a squabble with Samson Wazara while drinking beer.
Prosecutors alleged that Wazara, who was the complainant in the matter, was enjoying a cold pint of beer when Majuru surprisingly snatched a beer from him.
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They further alleged that Wazara allegedly ignored Majuru’s provocation and then proceeded to buy another pint of beer to quench his thirst.
As Wazara was enjoying his second pint of beer, Majuru reportedly snatched his ZANU PF party-branded base-ball cap from his head.
It is alleged that Majuru then proceeded to utter some derogatory words in Shona criticising Wazara, President Mnangagwa and the ruling ZANU PF party.
By so doing, prosecutors charged that Majuru acted unlawfully.
Majuru was set free recently by Magistrate Chitumbura after his lawyer, Ernest Jena of ZLHR, challenged the prosecution of his client in the absence of a Certificate of Authority to Prosecute issued by the Prosecutor-General in terms of the law.
Magistrate Chitumbura removed Majuru from remand and directed prosecutors to proceed by way of summons if they intend to prosecute him and after obtaining the Certificate of Authority to Prosecute from the Prosecutor-General.
