Madzibaba Ve Shanduko Acquitted After Spending 8 Months In Pre-Trial Detention

Magistrate Acquits Three Activists In High-Profile Protest Trial

Popular opposition activist Godfrey Karembera, widely known as Madzibaba Ve Shanduko, has been acquitted after spending eight months in pre-trial detention. The Harare Magistrates Court discharged him alongside Jim Kunaka and Jestere Malcom Masarira on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, after finding them not guilty at the close of the State’s case.

The trio had been facing charges of incitement to commit public violence over allegations that they encouraged people to participate in anti-government demonstrations that had been scheduled for October 2025.

Court Throws Out Case

The development was announced by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), which represented the accused through lawyer Paida Saurombe.

In a statement posted on X on 3 June 2026, ZLHR said:

“We have ended the persecution of Godfrey Karembera popularly known as Madzibaba Ve Shanduko, who had been in prison detention for 8 months, by having him set free by a Magistrate after standing trial on charges of incitement to commit public violence.”

The organisation added that Harare Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki discharged Karembera, Kunaka and Masarira at the close of the prosecution case.

ZLHR further stated:

“On Wednesday, Magistrate Mutendere discharged Karembera, Kunaka and Masarira at the close of the prosecution case and found them not guilty and acquitted them.”

The acquittal marked the end of a legal battle that began in the aftermath of planned anti-government protests in October 2025.

Arrest Linked To Planned October 2025 Protests

Karembera’s legal troubles stemmed from events surrounding demonstrations that had been called by war veteran Blessed Geza in October 2025.

At the time, police announced they were searching for Karembera and another activist, Kudzai Weston Saruwaka. Authorities alleged the pair had been distributing flyers encouraging people to join demonstrations against the government.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police intended to charge them with incitement to commit public violence.

The protests, which had been dubbed the “One Million Men March”, failed to materialise following a heavy police deployment in urban centres.

Several people were arrested during the crackdown. Court papers presented at the time alleged that some participants had gathered near Africa Unity Square in Harare singing protest songs. Police also alleged that stones and boulders had been found near the area.

Activists Welcome Acquittal

The acquittal has drawn attention from activists and observers who followed the case closely.

ZimLive reported on 3 June 2026 that Karembera had been “arrested, tortured and held in prison for 8 months in pre-trial detention” before being acquitted by the court. The publication also noted that Kunaka and Masarira were freed alongside him.

The ruling brings an end to a case that attracted significant public interest due to the lengthy period the accused spent in detention before trial.