Hopewell Chin'ono Freed On $10 000 Bail
High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi on Wednesday released free freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono from prison after granting him RTGS$10 000 bail.
Justice Chitapi ordered Chin’ono to report to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) twice a week and not to post messages on social media until the finalisation of his matter.
Chon’ono was arrested on 20 July 2020 and charged with inciting public violence after he used social media to support anti-corruption protests that were being organised by Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume for 31 July.
Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Musithu released Ngarivhume by granting him $50 000 bail. The High Court ordered the opposition leader to continue reside at the given address, surrender his passport and report 3 times a week at Waterfalls Police Station.
Ngarivhume should report on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’ at the stated police station, the High Court said.
Chin’ono and Ngarivhume are facing similar charges and are both are denying the charges.
Following the release of the duo, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) thanked its lawyers for working hard to secure Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s freedom. ZLHR said in a tweet:
A BIG thank you to our tireless team of lawyers who dedicated their energies for more than 1 month in & out of court to secure freedom for Hopewell & Jacob. The #Taskisnotended as we seek to foster a culture of human rights in Zimbabwe. Siyabonga. Tatenda. Thank You.
