Zimbabwe court again denies bail for protest organiser

Zimbabwean opposition politician and government critic Jacob Ngarivhume was on Friday denied bail for the third time since he was arrested for calling anti-government protests last month.

The leader of the Transform Zimbabwe party has been in jail since July 20 on charges of inciting public violence.

He had called for a protest on July 31 against economic hardship and alleged state corruption, which was de-facto banned by anti-coronavirus measures.

Ngarivhume made a last-ditch attempt to secure his release, arguing the banned demonstrations had remained peaceful.

But a magistrate on Friday rejected the fresh bail bid, claiming Ngarivhume remained a danger to society as he could organise the protests if let out of jail.

"The changed circumstances are not sufficient to guarantee safety of the public if the accused is granted bail," ruled magistrate Trynos Utahwashe.

"Considering (coronavirus infection risks), the public would be greatly endangered."

Ngarivhume was arrested alongside prominent investigative journalist Hopewell Chin'ono, who also remains in prison on public violence charges.

A ruling on Chin'ono's latest bail application is expected on Monday.