After 166 days in pretrial detention, former opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Senator Jameson Timba and 34 activists have been convicted of collaborating in an “illegal gathering”, whereas 28 others have been acquitted.

The convictions stem from their arrest on June 16, and so they now await sentencing.

The group, consisting of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members, had gathered at Timba’s residence to commemorate the International Day of the African Child.

However, police intervened, arresting 79 people, together with Timba, and charging them with disorderly conduct and gathering with intent to advertise public violence.

Initially, all 79 CCC members have been detained, with one particular person granted bail and two minors launched. The remaining 76 activists, together with Timba, have been held in remand as they awaited court docket proceedings.

The Magistrates Court acquitted 28 of the accused of disorderly conduct prices. However, 34 people, together with Timba, have been convicted of collaborating in an illegal gathering.

The Zimbabwean authorities have confronted criticism for the arrests and detentions, with human rights organisations describing the transfer as “abuse of judicial processes to punish dissenting”.

“After 166 days in pretrial detention, Jameson Timba, along with 34 of the Avondale78, have been convicted. Their crime: commemorating 16 June at a personal residence.

“The abuse of judicial processes to punish dissenting is a key feature of Zimbabwe’s tainted human rights record,” Heal Zimbabwe Trust mentioned.

Meanwhile, Amos Chibaya, a former CCC MP, has been granted US$500 bail after enduring over 40 days in pre-trial detention

He was arrested on prices of inciting public violence in his handle to CCC activists who have been demonstrating on the Harare Court after Timba and celebration supporters have been denied bail.