High Court Controversially Orders Rural Teachers Association President Not To Use Social Media Whilst On Bail

A few weeks ago the leader of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe -Obert Masaraure- was arrested and charged with treason after the demonstrations that took place in mid-January. Whilst he’s being charged with “subverting a constitutionally elected government”, Mr Masaraure was granted bail for $500.

Strangely though, the High Court Judge has also ordered Obert not to circulate any information on social media and not to address any public or political gatherings.

In Harare, High Court Judge Justice Chitapi has ended the detention of @ARTUZ16 President Obert Masaraure&Kumbirai Magorimbo after granting them $500 bail each&ordering them not to circulate information on social media&not to address any public or political gatherings.

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) January 31, 2019

Now I’m not a law expert but I’m pretty sure that banning someone from using social media is not exactly constitutional and seems like a violation of free speech I could be wrong. The people who came across the ZLHR tweet also felt the same;

https://twitter.com/DumisaniGandhi/status/1091033716154163201

Great work by ZLHR and good decision by Justice Chitapi to grant the two union leaders bail but I think the part of the bail conditions related to stopping them from sharing information on social media is itself unconstitutional. That part should be appealed to the ConCourt.

— Siphosami Malunga (@SiphoMalunga) January 31, 2019

Also read, The Court Must Decide On The Greater Legal Issues Regarding Internet Shutdown, Veritas Lawyers Agrees With Our Earlier Position