THE State yesterday withdrew charges levelled against 39 war veterans who were arrested for unlawful gathering in October 2021.
The 39 members of the War Veterans Welfare Pressure Group appeared before Harare magistrate Winfilda Tiyatara facing charges of participating in a gathering with intent to cause public violence.
It was the State’s case that on October 13, 2021, the Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association notified the police of its intention to hold a peaceful march in central Harare.
It was further alleged that the war veterans’ request was turned down on October 18 on the basis that the country was still under COVID-19 level 2 lockdown, with all demonstrations suspended.
However, on October 26, members of the police reaction group, who were on patrol in the central business district, received information that there was a group of people gathered in Africa Unity Square, at the corner of 3rd Street and Jason Moyo Avenue.
The police went to the place, where they engaged the war vets who indicated that they wanted to deliver a petition to Parliament and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Munhumutapa offices.
The ex-fighters were allegedly advised to send five representatives with the petition, but they allegedly refused, insisting that they wanted to go as a group.
On the day they were arrested, the police ordered them to disperse, but the former freedom fighters refused and sang revolutionary songs, disturbing peace, movement of pedestrians and motor vehicles.
- State withdraws charges against 39 war vets
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They were demonstrating over measly pension stipends of ZWL16 000 (equivalent to US$30 at the time) per month.
