HARARE – A police officer appeared in court Saturday accused of “undermining the authority of the President” after he allegedly said President Emmerson Mnangagwa was a “used condom”.
A court heard that Shungudzemoyo Kache, of Harare, was first taken to the Zanu PF headquarters following his arrest.
Kache was arrested following a confrontation with a man wearing a scarf with Zimbabwe flag colours, resembling the one usually worn by Mnangagwa.
The police officer allegedly told Stanley Mabhachi that Mnangagwa was a “used condom,” according to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who are offering him legal support.
Kache, who is represented by Harare lawyer Jeremiah Bamu, was freed on Z$300 bail and remanded to June 22.
He was charged under section 33 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act which forbids “making any statement about or concerning the President or an acting President with the knowledge or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that the statement is false and that it may engender feelings of hostility towards; or cause hatred, contempt or ridicule of the President or an acting President, whether in person or in respect of the President’s office.”
The crime of “undermining the authority of or insulting the President” can land one in jail for a year.
The specific law used has been found to be unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court, but prosecutors continue to use it against opponents of Mnangagwa.
