EIGHTY-FIVE Bulawayo residents, arrested during a countrywide anti-government demonstration organised by cleric, Evan Mawarire in July this year, have been freed after the State dropped charges against them.
BY NQOBANI NDLOVU
The 85 had public nuisance and violence charges laid against them after taking part in the protests held under Mawarire’s #ThisFlag campaign.
In an about-turn, the State, through the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), yesterday dropped charges, citing lack of evidence incriminating the suspects.
Prosecutor Jeremiah Mutsindikwa dropped the charges as the protesters were about to appear before Bulawayo magistrate Charity Maphosa for the commencement of their trial.
A number of protesters arrested for participating in the July national shutdown anti-government protests also had their charges dropped due to lack of evidence.
Just last week, a Bulawayo magistrate freed five Bulawayo Youths Arise activists arrested for staging a demonstration demanding that President Robert Mugabe steps down.
