MDC youth assembly Organizing Secretary and Masvingo Ward 4 councilor, Godfrey Kurauone has been acquitted by Magistrate Madondo at the Masvingo High Court.

He had been in lengthy detention for 46 days and denied bail on several occasions.

Kuraone’s Lawyer Martin Mureri speaking on Kurauone’s acquittal at Masvingo Magistrate Courts said, “The Magistrate has agreed with us that Kurauone did not commit any crime , he has been released.”

MDC Alliance announced the development through Twitter on Thursday , “Godfrey Kurauone has been acquitted. We thank all who stood in solidarity with him but condemn his unconstitutional detention and the refusal of bail throughout the process. The trial was political and a regrettable act of persecution. We stand by you, Kura.” 

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights also posted on Twitter , “We are relieved that Magistrate Madondo has ended the lengthy detention of Masvingo Urban Ward 4 Councillor  who had been in prison for more than 40 days by acquitting him on charges of obstructing free movement of traffic on 31 July.”

The MDC Alliance youth organiser was being charged with allegations of  of circulating a video urging people to participate in the July 31 demonstration and blocking off 500m of road with stones at Gaths Mine around 5am on July 31.