LAST UPDATED: 2013-05-23, 07:43

AU: memories of hope 50 years ago

The AU is celebrating 50 years of existence this year. Set up in 1963 in the Ethiopian capital, the body had 32 initial signatory governments, with 21 more nations joining over the years.

Cape Town

Friday 15-21°C

High level clouds. Mild.

7 day forecast

Saturday	15-21°c	Light rain late. More clouds than sun. Mild.
Sunday	15-17°c	Heavy rain. Mostly cloudy. Cool.
Monday	15-18°c	Showers early. Partly cloudy. Mild.
Tuesday	14-20°c	Showers early. Morning clouds. Mild.
Wednesday	14-17°c	a few showers. More clouds than sun. Cool.
Thursday	14-17°c	Partly cloudy. Mild.

More weather from Weather24 >

Brought to
you by:

Zim activists fined, get community service

2012-03-21 22:11

Special Report

Chinese call for stability in Zimbabwe

Chinese vice premier Wang Yang has urged Zimbabwe to ensure peace and political stability ahead of elections this year.

Harare - A Zimbabwe court said on Wednesday it took a "compassionate approach" by not sending to jail six civic activists convicted of conspiring to commit public violence during a meeting in which they watched video footage of the mass uprisings in Egypt.

Harare Magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini fined the activists $500 each and ordered them to carry out 420 hours of community service or face a year in jail.

He suspended another 12 months’ imprisonment on condition they don't commit a similar offense over the next five years.

In an apparent bid to head off intense local and international outrage over the case - along with frequent accusations of bias by the nation's courts in favour of President Robert Mugabe - Jarabini said he sought to pass a deterrent sentence but didn't want to send out "a sense of shock" to Zimbabweans.

The group was arrested last year for holding a meeting it said was an academic lecture on democratic rights.

Jarabini found the activists guilty on Monday, saying that while watching a video was not a crime, the "manner and motive" of the February 2011 meeting showed bad intent.

He ruled that showing footage of uprisings in both Tunisia and Egypt that included "nasty scenarios" was intended to arouse hostility toward Zimbabwe's government.

The activists had faced a maximum prison sentence of up to ten years. Original charges of treason carrying a possible death sentence were dropped in months of legal wrangling.

- AP

Read more on: zimbabwe | southern africa | uprisings

NEXT ON NEWS24X

Nigeria 'insurgency' children to be freed

2013-05-23 18:33

Inside News24

Pics: Vuyo Mbuli memorial

A massive crowd of mourners say goodbye to TV icon Vuyo Mbuli.
Restaurant specials

R9.99 bottle of wine, 2 for 1 burger and more...
How animals give birth

Warning: Shocking GIFs. Not intended for sensitive viewers.
Hidden wealth

Is there hidden wealth in your debt? An expert believes so.
Snoop Lion live in CT

Snoop Lion lights it up onstage in Cape Town.
Conned into being a mule

WARNING: Graphic content. Pregnant and sentenced to death.
Underrated dorpies

These seven local towns are pretty great, but often forgotten.
1-week diabetic menu

Diabetic yourself, or have one in the family? Check out this menu.

Settings

Location Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location. If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to take affect.

Friday 15-21°C

Zim activists fined, get community service

Special Report

Other Stories in Zimbabwe...

Inside News24

Welcome to News24

News in your area

Latest comment in Africa

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Kalahari.com - shop online today

Sponsored links

I'm shopping for:

services

Hello

Create Profile

Please provide a username for your profile page:

Hello

Choose a display name:

Edit your avatar:

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Saving your profile

Settings

Saving your settings

Facebook Sign-In