Story by Fungai Jachi
FORMER Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators Amos Chibaya and Costa Machingauta have each been slapped with a US$500 fine by a Harare Magistrate after being convicted for participating in an unlawful gathering in 2023.
The magistrate ordered that the fine be paid immediately, with a warning that failure to comply would result in a six-month custodial sentence. Additionally, both individuals were sentenced to 12 months in prison, though this sentence was wholly suspended on the condition that they do not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Chibaya and Machingauta were convicted a few weeks ago, alongside three other party activists: Monica Mukwanda, Aletta Viremai, and Lancelot Tungwarara. The five had been remanded out of custody while awaiting their sentencing.
During the trial, the state successfully proved that Chibaya and his fellow activists had mobilised the gathering and were wearing party regalia when arrested.
A total of 20 other suspects were cleared of any wrongdoing, with the magistrate noting that they had been caught in a “dragnet” arrest.
