Staff ReporterA Zimbabwean magistrate has sentenced prominent opposition politician Tendai Biti to seven days in jail, but has given him the option of paying a $200 (£154) fine to avoid imprisonment.
The magistrate earlier convicted Mr Biti of violating electoral legislation by declaring opposition candidate Nelson Chamisa the winner of last year’s heavily disputed presidential poll, preempting an official announcement that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had won.
The sentence is relatively lenient, but Mr Biti said he would appeal against his conviction.
He said the charges were part of an attempt to crush the opposition.
