ZIMBABWEAN authorities on Monday 25 February 2019 charged pro-democracy campaigner Rashid Mahiya with plotting to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government following anti-government protests held across the country in January over the deteriorating economic crisis.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers charged Mahiya, the Director of Heal Zimbabwe Trust with subverting a constitutional government as defined in section 22 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Mahiya reported at Harare Central Police Station accompanied by his lawyer Tonderai Bhatasara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights after he became aware that ZRP officers were keen on questioning him.
ZRP officers claimed that Mahiya organised some meetings in Harare between 3 to 6 December 2018 with the aim of toppling President Mnangagwa’s administration from power.
Mahiya, who is detained at Harare Central Police Station, is expected to appear at Harare Magistrates Court on Tuesday 26 February 2019.
Mahiya is the latest Zimbabwean to be charged with subverting a constitutional government following the arrest of trade union leaders Peter Mutasa, Japhet Moyo, Obert Masaraure, opposition legislator Amos Chibaya and His Generation Church leader Pastor Evan Mawarire among others, who are facing the same charges.
Source: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
