Zimbabwe court frees 83 Peace Day marchers; group will face minor “criminal nuisance” charges

Zimbabwe Peace Day marchers freed after 2 days

HARARE, Zimbabwe — A court in Zimbabwe has freed 83 activists jailed for two days after staging a march to demand better policing and public safety in the southern African nation.

Harare magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi released them without bail Wednesday but called them to return to court Oct. 6 to face minor “criminal nuisance” charges.

Activist group Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise said 600 members marched Monday, the eve of International Peace Day, to protest police conduct.

The group accuses police of beating suspects in public, harassing street vendors and stealing their goods and routinely demanding bribes.

Police said the march was conducted without routine police clearance.