Ex MP Dubeko Sibanda in court for inciting violenc...

Ex MP Dubeko Sibanda in court for inciting violence

Michael Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

Former Binga North legislator, Dubeko Sibanda has been arraigned before the courts accused of inciting public violence.

Sibanda, 51, of Bulawayo, appeared at the Harare Magistrate's Courts charged with incitement to commit public violence.

He will appear in court on August 23, 2024, for bail ruling.

The State alleges that during the period from August 1, 2024, to August 16, 2024, Sibanda posted on Citizens for Coalition for Change Whatsapp groups, his X handles, Prince Dubeko Sibanda/ @Dubeko Sibanda inciting members of the political party to engage in violent activities by barricading roads and burning shops and tyres.

He allegedly posted some of the following words, “Unless the SADC creates a platform where the head of states will engage Zimbabweans on the SEOM report and other issues, we will create a platform to meet with them in the streets of Harare. No intimidation will stop us. Let's shut down Harare in August. Let's barricade the streets in Harare. Let's burn tyres and use old cars.”

The court heard that some of the messages were captured as screenshots by witnesses and were submitted to the police.

It is alleged that as a result of the incitement, Highglen road was barricaded and tyres were burnt on the road at Mukonono river bridge, Marimba, as a result endangering the free movement of people and traffic using that road on August 16, 2024.

The politician was arrested on August 17, 2024, by a team of detectives from CID Beitbridge at Beitbridge Border Post.