HARARE – Trade union leader and pro-democracy activist Obert Masaraure escaped a prison sentence Friday when he was fined US$200 by Harare magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka who convicted him Wednesday for obstructing the course of justice.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTUZ) president had been found guilty of posting a message on his X handle (formerly Twitter) demanding the release of a trade union colleague.
The firebrand activist was fined US$200 or face two months imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.
A further four months was wholly suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.
Masaraure was arrested for the offence on July 8, 2022 and was been in and out of the court during trial.
The charges stemmed from a message Masaraure posted on the social media platform, demanding the release of fellow activist Robson Chere.
Chere had been arrested in connection with the mysterious death of ARTUZ member Roy Issa.
Issa died after falling from the seventh floor of a Harare hotel, with an inquest ruling out foul play.
However, police reopened the case under controversial circumstances and filed murder charges against Masaraure and Chere.
Prosecutors proved that Masaraure authored a statement published on X and the ARTUZ website, aimed at prejudicing his and Chere’s pending trial while inciting teachers’ union members and the public to commit violence.
The conviction of the activist has invited condemnation from ARTUZ which describes it as a travesty of justice.
