Magistrate to rule in Zimbabwe socialists' trial

The trial of six socialists in Zimbabwe may be finally coming to a close after almost a year of delays.

The defence has called for charges to be dismissed, saying there is no case to answer. The magistrate is due to rule on this on 15 February.

The prosecution closed its case last week. Its main witness, who had infiltrated the socialists’ meeting, insisted he was a police officer not a secret service agent. But despite the delays he failed to provide any proof of his identity.

The defendants were among 50 people arrested in February last year at an International Socialist Organisation meeting with footage of the Arab Spring.

The defendants Munyaradzi Gwisai, Tafadzwa Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Edson Chakuma, Hopewell Gumbo and Welcome Zimuto are charged with “conspiracy to commit public violence” which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.