Nearly 100 Zimbabweans remain locked up after a judge refused bail on Thursday. Police grabbed these people from a small Harare protest against President Mnangagwa ten days ago. The court worried these protesters might cause trouble if released. All 95 face serious charges that could land them behind bars for five years.
The protesters range from young adults to seniors, with none having jobs, according to police papers. Three more people arrested that day already face trial. War veteran Blessed Geza called for these demonstrations because he believes Mnangagwa plans to stay president beyond his 2028 term limit. The protests stayed small, with just 200 people showing up in the capital, but many businesses closed anyway across several cities.
Mnangagwa took power from Robert Mugabe in a 2017 coup. Critics say he crushes opposition through harsh jail sentences. Reporter Blessed Mhlanga has been in prison since February just for interviewing protest organizer Geza. The government seems determined to keep anyone challenging leadership locked away from public view.
The protesters range from young adults to seniors, with none having jobs, according to police papers. Three more people arrested that day already face trial. War veteran Blessed Geza called for these demonstrations because he believes Mnangagwa plans to stay president beyond his 2028 term limit. The protests stayed small, with just 200 people showing up in the capital, but many businesses closed anyway across several cities.
Mnangagwa took power from Robert Mugabe in a 2017 coup. Critics say he crushes opposition through harsh jail sentences. Reporter Blessed Mhlanga has been in prison since February just for interviewing protest organizer Geza. The government seems determined to keep anyone challenging leadership locked away from public view.
