Vendor set free after 2 day detention for protesting demolition of stalls in Chiredzi
Magistrate Tendai Mutamba has ended the two-day detention of Nelton Matanhuse, a resident, who was arrested for protesting against the demolition of vending stalls and for allegedly criticising President Emmerson Mnangagwa
CHIREDZI | Magistrate Tendai Mutamba has ended the two-day detention of Nelton Matanhuse, a resident, who was arrested for protesting against the demolition of vending stalls and for allegedly criticising President Emmerson Mnangagwa as inconsiderate of the suffering of the majority of people in Zimbabwe.
The 32 year-old Matanhuse spent two nights in both police and prison custody after he was arrested on 23 June 2026 by Zimbabwe Republic Police(ZRP) officers after appearing in a viral video allegedly denouncing Mnangagwa.
ZRP officers charged Matanhuse with incitement to commit public violence as defined in section 187(1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as read with section 36(1)(a) of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
According to prosecutors, Matanhuse, who is unemployed and is represented by Martin Mureri of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, allegedly criticised the demolition of vending stalls in the sugarcane growing town of Chiredzi in Masvingo province by some officials from Chiredzi Town Council and also reportedly made some unpalatable remarks to the effect that President Mnangagwa and one Chivhayo were indifferent to the suffering of people in Zimbabwe.
Prosecutors claimed that Matanhuse’s alleged utterances were made at a bus terminus, where officials from Chiredzi Town Council were destroying some vending stalls, which had been reportedly erected by some vendors.
On Thursday 25 June 2026, Magistrate Mutamba set Matanhuse free after granting him US$200 bail and ordered him to report once every week at a local police station, continue residing at his given residential address and not interfere with State witnesses.
