According to reports, the State has dropped all charges against nine Watsomba women who were detained on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, for allegedly jeering First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.
Following their initial detention at the Mutare Central Police Station, the women—Nester Chatiwana, Panashe Machekanzondo, Winnet Sithole, Maria Choto, Esnath Choto, Ellen Rujuwa, Faith Chidhakwa, Patience Matasva, and Joyce Mashingaidza—were charged with disorderly conduct in a public place.
After Mnangagwa and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner General Godwin Tandabantu Matanga concurred that the local police personnel had overreacted, charges were dropped, according to presidential spokesperson George Charamba on X. According to Charamba:
“The Police Commissioner General and the First Lady both concurred that the ground police personnel overreacted. All accusations were dropped yesterday per the First Lady’s orders.”
According to reports, the incident happened during Mnangagwa’s speech at the Watsomba Business Centre in the province of Manicaland. The First Lady allegedly donated certain gifts as part of her philanthropic activity, and the women allegedly expressed their dissatisfaction after not receiving them. Watsomba women
Originally, the women were supposed to return to court on 30 April 2024.