Zim Opposition Member of Parliament, Chibaya Acquitted

By Staff Reporter

In a landmark ruling, former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator Amos Chibaya has been acquitted of charges of incitement to violence. The charges stemmed from a fiery public condemnation of the state’s continued denial of bail to fellow CCC members, including Senator Jameson Timba. Chibaya’s arrest on June 25, 2024, sparked widespread outrage, with many viewing it as a blatant attempt to silence dissenting voices.

The state accused Chibaya of inciting violence during a gathering outside the Harare Magistrates’ Court, where 77 CCC activists were being held in custody. Prosecutors alleged that Chibaya’s remarks were inflammatory, implying that the Zanu-PF-led government had stolen the 2023 elections and was suppressing citizens’ freedoms. However, Harare provincial magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai ruled that the evidence presented failed to meet the threshold for incitement, stating that Chibaya’s statements fell within the bounds of free speech and political expression protected under Zimbabwean law.

Chibaya’s acquittal is a significant victory for democracy and free speech in Zimbabwe. The CCC has consistently maintained that Chibaya’s arrest was baseless and part of a broader campaign of intimidation against dissenting voices. “He should never have been arrested to begin with,” the party said in a statement following the verdict. “This is a clear case of political persecution.” Chibaya’s acquittal comes at a time of heightened political tension in Zimbabwe, with opposition parties and civil society raising alarms over shrinking democratic space and the targeting of activists.

The acquittal of Amos Chibaya has significant implications for Zimbabwe’s democratic landscape. It sets a precedent for the protection of free speech and highlights the importance of allowing citizens to express their opinions without fear of persecution. As Zimbabwe continues to navigate its complex political terrain, Chibaya’s acquittal serves as a beacon of hope for those fighting for democracy and human rights.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Independent Editor, Faith Zaba who was arrested on July 1 2025, charged with undermining the authority of the President, over a satirical article is deeply troubling. The piece was clearly marked as satire, published in a designated opinion column.

Zaba is back in court today for her bail ruling and she was remanded in custody to Friday morning, due to power outage at the Harare Magistrates Court, it has disrupted proceedings, preventing the magistrate from typing her bail ruling.

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