23 Sep 2018 | 05:16 AM UTC
Zimbabwe: Trial for opposition leader to be held in Harare October 3
Judge in Harare sets trial for Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition party vice president for October 3; associated protests possible
Event
The trial for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Vice President Morgen Komichi is set to begin in Harare on Wednesday, October 3. Komichi is facing charges of violating electoral laws when the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced the results of the July 30 presidential election. Prosecutors claim that Komichi disrupted the ZEC commissioners by grabbing a microphone and saying that the MDC rejected the voting results. Protests by MDC members are possible in Harare in support of Komichi during the trial.
Context
On August 3, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) declared incumbent President Mnangagwa winner of the July 30 presidential election. Mnangagwa officially garnered 2.46 million votes, while runner-up Nelson Chamisa (the MDC candidate) secured 2.15 million. However, Chamisa alleged that the election should be invalidated due to incidents of theft and fraud. On August 24, the Constitutional Court ruled to uphold Mnangagwa's victory.
The July 30 elections were the first in Zimbabwe since Robert Mugabe stepped down as president in November 2017, after 37 years in power.
Advice
Individuals in Harare, and Zimbabwe in general, are advised to monitor the situation and avoid all protests as a precaution.
