ACTIVIST Obert Masaraure will know his fate on Wednesday following his conviction yesterday on charges of defeating the course of justice.
The charges against Masaraure, the leader of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz), allegedly emanate from his posts on the union’s X handle protesting the arrest of an activist Robson Chere.
Masaraure, who is denying the charges, is accused of demanding the release of Chere following his arrest in connection with the death of an Artuz member, Roy Issa, in 2016.
Issa allegedly plunged to his death from the seventh floor of a Harare hotel.
An inquest into his death ruled out foul play, but police went on to reopen the docket and filed murder charges against Masaraure and Chere.
Harare regional magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka, however, found Masaraure guilty for obstructing the course of justice.
“The court is convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence,” Chakanyuka said in her ruling.
The magistrate also said the State managed to prove a prima facie case against the accused person.
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"Therefore the accused is found guilty as charged" she said.
Masaraure was represented by Tapiwa Muchineripi.
He was remanded in custody to today for pre-sentencing recording and mitigation.
The human rights activist has other cases pending before the courts including subversion and breaching COVID-19 safety regulations.
