Tshabangu was arrested during the stay away that occurred in July 2016.  He was represented by  Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) during all the pre-trial and trial proceedings.
The Pumula South resident had been charged with obstructing traffic and pavements as provided in the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act was discharged at the close of the State case after public proosecutor failed to prove the case against beyond reasonable doubt.
The state witnesses that the public prosecutor relied upon to prove the case against Tshabangu gave conflicting evidence. Tshabangu’s case becomes the third case in which Bulawayo residents who were arrested over #SHUTDOWNZIM2016 protests have been found not guilty.
Four Bulawayo residents who were arrested over a “MUGABE MUST GO†rant during the stay away protest where found not guilty by Magistrate Tawanda Muchemwa on Tuesday 2 August 2016. On 4 August, yet another Bulawayo Magistrate found two residents who were facing public violence charges not guilty.
Meanwhile in Hwange, Police have charged Praise Moyo with inciting public violence. The charges against the 28 year old arose after he allegedly sent messages via WhatsApp groups querying why chiefs in Hwange were not persuading Hwange Colliery to pay its employees.
Moyo who was not detained will appear before the Magistrates Court on 11 August 2016.