HARARE (Reuters) - A Zimbabwean court on Friday denied bail for the third time to an opposition politician who called for anti-government protests last month, ruling that he could be a danger to the public if released.
Jacob Ngarivhume has been in detention for a month after his arrest along with journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on charges of inciting violence, after he called for protests on July 31 against corruption and the government’s mishandling of the economy.
Critics accuse President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of persecuting its opponents amid the worst economic crisis in more than a decade, a charge the authorities deny.
Separately on Friday, police arrested Job Sikhala, national vice chairman of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change with inciting public violence, his lawyer said.
Sikhala had said on social media he was in hiding and was among more than a dozen activists sought by law enforcement agents in relation to the anti-government protests.
In February, Sikhala was acquitted of subversion charges by the courts after he was arrested last year.
At the magistrates court in Ngarivhume’s case, Magistrate Trynos Utahwashe said the fact that July 31 had come and gone without the violence the state had feared was “not sufficient to guarantee the safety of the public if the accused is granted bail”.
Ngarivhume, who arrived at court in leg irons and handcuffs, will return to court on Sept. 4 for a routine appearance.