Zim politics | Lone protester sent for mental evaluation

HARARE - A Zimbabwean man has been arrested and sent for psychiatric evaluation after he staged a lone protest during peak hour traffic in central Harare.

During the protest, the man criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government and called for a Free Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, a group of student protesters from the University of Zimbabwe has spent over a month in prison after being denied bail yet again. 

51-year-old Harare resident, Itai Makombe, used his vehicle to block the road during rush hour traffic in the central business district.

READ: Zimbabwe sets August 23 for presidential re-match

He jumped on top of the vehicle while beating a drum, singing and shouting "Free Zimbabwe".

Police later arrested and charged him with disorderly conduct and the unlawful possession of a firearm.

Lawyer, Gift Mtisi said, "Our client had pleaded guilty to both charges, so we were promised that we should come for sentencing. When we arrived here the magistrate was of the view that, our client, because of the nature of the words he uttered could be someone who is suffering from mental derangement or mental health problems."

"So in a way to protect him, the magistrate is of the view that he should be seen by medical doctors."

Meanwhile, a group of student protesters from the University of Zimbabwe has been languishing in remand prison for almost a month now.

The students are facing charges for spray painting government buildings in central Harare calling for the release of political prisoners including jailed opposition MP Job Sihala.

A lawyer for the student activists, Paida Saurombe said, "four of them have been denied bail after protracted proceedings which took more than three weeks, just for them to be heard on bail."

"The fifth student has actually not even appeared for a bail hearing. There has been several delays with prosecutors changing three times each time he has sought to apply for bail and this has resulted in postponements."

The protests come just over two months ahead of Zimbabwe's crucial presidential and parliamentary elections on 23 August.