Zimbabwe Court Frees Opposition Leader Timba

A Zimbabwean court has sentenced Jameson Timba, interim leader of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), and 34 activists to suspended prison terms for participating in what authorities described as an unlawful gathering. Timba received a two-year suspended sentence, while the others received lesser terms, all set to be released after more than five months in custody. The group was arrested during a gathering to commemorate the Day of the African Child and faced charges of promoting violence. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemned the detentions as part of a broader crackdown on dissent under President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration. Lawyers for the defendants reported allegations of police abuse and torture during their detention. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about political repression and the rule of law in Zimbabwe, echoing practices from the era of former President Robert Mugabe.