Former opposition MP for Mkoba Constituency in Gweru, Amos Chibaya, will remain in prison after being denied bail in a case where he is accused of inciting Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists to commit violence.
Chibaya is facing incitement charges related to remarks he allegedly made to supporters.
Magistrate Dennis Mangosi, presiding at Rotten Row Magistrates Court in Harare, denied him bail, citing overwhelming evidence, including video footage and eyewitness accounts.
Mangosi further ruled that Chibaya is a flight risk, as he recently failed to appear in court for a different case, resulting in a US$50 fine.
“The court will be guided by the gravity of the charge, the ability to flee, and whether the accused has substantial property in Zimbabwe or assets abroad. The accused breached bail conditions in another case. Therefore, the state has proven that the accused is likely to abscond if granted bail,” ruled Mangosi.
Appeal Planned
Chibaya’s lawyer, Chris Mhike, confirmed that they plan to appeal the ruling.
“My client is not happy with the ruling, and we will file an appeal at the High Court,” Mhike said.
Allegations Against Chibaya
Chibaya allegedly incited the public following his address to CCC supporters at the Harare Magistrates Court in June 2024. His speech came after interim CCC leader Jameson Timba was denied bail.
Timba had been arrested earlier in June, accused of participating in an unlawful gathering with 77 others, including his son. Currently, Timba and 63 co-accused remain in custody, awaiting trial.
Prosecutors allege that during the June gathering, Chibaya made inflammatory remarks, including:
“This regime is afraid of the people. When they see people, they tremble. They did not win the elections; we can wake up ruling them. Zimbabwe does not belong to ZANU PF or the Mnangagwa dynasty. The oppression of the people must end.”
The state claims that Chibaya encouraged supporters to pressure authorities to release their detained colleagues. In response, some attendees allegedly chanted in Shona: “Tichavatora Nechisimba, eheee” (We will take them out by force).
Next Court Appearance
Chibaya is scheduled to return to court on October 30 for a routine remand hearing.
