Political pressure on AG to charge Chibebe

tion every three months for better pay.
Earlier last month, Chibebe was summoned to the Law and Order Section of Harare Central Police Station in connection with his speech at the Workers Day “commemorations” on May 1 in which he said government was insensitive to the workers’ “poverty wages.”
Government sources told The Zimbabwean that heavy political pressure was being exerted on the AG’s office to proceed with the case in light of recent statements by Chibebe slamming President Mugabe’s so-called “price war.”
“Despite there being difficulties in drawing up the charges, the issue is going ahead, thanks to the political pressure,” said one source close to the case.
Sources say there is no strong legal basis upon which the AG’s office could
draw up charges that would result in a successful prosecution. The law says
that a statement merely inciting people to violence – which violence did not
materialise – was not criminal unless the violence occurred to achieve the
desired results.
The previous job action by workers – a stay away – was largely peaceful, although the authorities panicked, making unprecedented security deployments.
AG Sobusa Gula-Ndebele was not immediately available for comment. But an official in the AG’s office told The Zimbabwean that the case would be finalised “soon”.
“The matter is being fully considered having due regard to all relevant legal considerations, and a decision will be taken in due course. It should be pretty soon,” he said.