A Beitbridge Town Council security guard, who was arrested after a video of him allegedly criticising President Mnangagwa and the ZiG currency went viral, has been sentenced to six months in jail.
Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Charity Maposa handed down the sentence after convicting Ezekiel Chiradza of undermining the authority of, or insulting, the President.
Chiradza (35) will not serve time in jail after paying a US$300 fine.
He was represented by Patrick Tererai of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who said they are appealing the conviction in the High Court.
“The record of proceedings runs to about 145 pages, and while the appeal has not yet been filed, we have 10 days from the date of judgment to do so.”
Chiradza was arrested on 02 September 2024 and charged with insulting President Mnangagwa in a video that circulated on social media.
In the video, he reportedly sang and made statements critical of the President’s handling of the economy and the introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.
The video was shared in a WhatsApp group called Zim Politics, where Chiradza also expressed support for opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, Mnangagwa’s rival in the 2023 general elections.
He was charged under Section 33(2)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which criminalises undermining the authority of, or insulting, the President.
