Lawyers defending jailed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists have raised alarm over police officers harassing them at court while they conduct their professional duties.
The lawyers informed Harare Magistrate Collet Ncube that anti-riot officers deployed to the court during their clients’ appearances regularly harass them and interfere with their work.
This complaint comes amid growing difficulties for the media, as police officers reportedly prevent interviews with the lawyers after court proceedings by chasing journalists away.
The magistrate promised to investigate the issue before postponing the case to this Wednesday for a bail ruling on the activists’ fresh application.
“We raised three issues… the second was police brutality.
“Lawyers are being harassed as they enter and leave the courtroom, and that is really a cause for concern.
We are not happy with how police harass lawyers as they address members of the media while conducting their work.
The court undertook to look into that matter,” said Webster Jiti, the lawyer representing the activists.
Jiti’s colleagues echoed similar concerns during court proceedings.
CCC interim leader Jameson Timba was arrested along with 77 others on June 16, 2024. The group has been in custody since being denied bail twice.
Initially charged with disorderly conduct—of which they were acquitted—they are now defending charges of unlawful gathering.
Magistrate Ncube ruled that they have a case to answer after the State closed its case.
Twelve of the accused were recently acquitted after it was revealed they were not part of the gathering.
