Zimbabwe High Court Grants Bail to 89 March 31 Protesters

The High Court of Zimbabwe, presided over by Justice Esther Muremba, granted bail to 89 individuals arrested during the March 31, 2025, anti-government protests after their successful appeal against a magistrate's denial of bail. Each accused was ordered to pay a $100 bail deposit and comply with conditions including residing at listed addresses and reporting fortnightly to designated police stations until the case is resolved, with some suspects assigned to specific regional stations. The court criticized the National Prosecuting Authority for lacking sufficient evidence, noting the absence of witness statements and describing the prosecution's case as weak. Charges against the appellants include public violence and breach of peace, which human rights lawyers claim are politically motivated to suppress dissent. The ruling marks an important legal victory amid concerns about Zimbabwe's human rights environment, and the court emphasized that the accused must not interfere with ongoing investigations. Some suspects had previously been granted bail earlier by the High Court.