HARARE – Former Binga North member of parliament Prince Dubeko-Sibanda has been freed on US$300 bail by High Court judge, Benjamin Chikowero.

He spent nearly three weeks in remand prison following his arrest at Beitbridge Border Post for allegedly inciting anti-government protests during the SADC Summit which was hosted by Zimbabwe last month.

The politician had been denied bail by Harare magistrate, Marewanazvo Gofa who ruled that he was a flight risk.

However, through his lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, Sibanda filed an appeal which found favour with the High Court.

Chikowero said Gofa erred in concluding that Sibanda was a flight risk before setting aside the lower court’s ruling.

“Prince had been denied bail by the magistrates’ court holding that he was a flight risk because the state had submitted that he was caught on his way to South Africa absconding,” Muchadehama said.

“So, we appealed to the High Court saying that the magistrate had misdirected herself in denying the appellant bail.

“So, today the High Court agreed with us that the accused was not a flight risk … so, the court upheld the appeal and granted Sibanda bail in the sum of US$300.”

It is the state’s case that between August 1 and 16, 2024, Sibanda posted on CCC WhatsApp groups and on his X (Twitter) handle inciting opposition members to engage in violent activities by barricading roads and burning shops and tyres.

Chirenje said, “The accused posted that ‘unless SADC creates a platform where the heads of state will engage Zimbabweans on the SEOM report and other issues, we will create a platform to meet with them on the streets of Harare. No intimidation will stop us. Let’s shut down Harare in August. Let’s barricade the streets in Harare. Let’s burn tyres and use old cars’.”

Chirenje said some of the messages were captured as screenshots and these will be used against Sibanda.

It is alleged that as a result of his messages, Highglen road in Harare was barricaded and tyres were burnt along the road at Mukonono river bridge, Marimba thereby disrupting the free movement of persons and traffic using that road on 16 August 2024 at around 4:30AM.

Sibanda now awaits trial.