Joana Mamombe Remanded in Custody

HARARE, Zimbabwe — A member of parliament from Zimbabwe’s main opposition party Joanah Mamombe has had her application for refusal of remand rejected by a Harare magistrate this morning.

Joana Mamombe was today remanded in custody till 19 March as the magistrate insisted that even though the state witness was not eloquent, she was still convinced that there is reasonable suspicion that Joana committed a crime.

Mamombe was arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic police while attending a workshop in Nyanga. Mamombe had been on the police wanted list since 25 January 2019 following the January 2019 violent protests.

Allegations are that Mamombe addressed a press conference at Civic Centre in Malborough, Harare 14 January where she called on citizens to engage in acts of civil disobedience with the intention to remove a sitting government through unconstitutional means.

The magistrate ruled that Mamombe was brought to court on time, only that court was overwhelmed with other cases; arrest lawful and reasonable suspicion she committed offence.

Mamombe is being represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights deployees Jeremiah Bamu and Obey Shava.