The two were charged in 2020 after they held peaceful demonstrations in Harare calling for political reforms and freedom of the press. They've since been to court over 30 times.
Many Zimbabweans are crying foul over the verdict citing the increasing intolerance the government has towards its critics. Take a look.
🟡#BREAKING Award winning author Tsitsi Dangarembga @EfieZethu & Julie Barnes @jbcorporatex have been convicted of inciting public violence for holding up the placards shown in the pic below. Their lawyer, Chris Mhike, is currently addressing the court on mitigation of sentence. pic.twitter.com/AypwZBptst
— Fadzayi Mahere🇿🇼 (@advocatemahere) September 29, 2022
International authors & filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga @EfieZethu & Julie Barnes @jbcorporatex have been convicted of incitement to cause public violence for demonstrating peacefully.
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) September 29, 2022
It means that the constitutional right to protest has been thrown out of the window in Zimbabwe. https://t.co/Pm7nIIz83k
Dark day in Zimbabwe. Pay attention to this, world. @EfieZethu @jbcorporatex found guilty of participating in a gathering with intent to incite public violence, for a silent, peaceful walking protest with signs back in 2020. https://t.co/i6RugZEdwc
— Zoe Flood (@Zoe_Flood) September 29, 2022
The conviction of Tsitsi Dangarembga @EfieZethu for holding a placard is one of the biggest blunders ever made by Mnangagwa’s repressive regime, they might not care, but they will regret it.
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) September 29, 2022
It has put a magnificent global spotlight back on Zimbabwe, something Zimbabwe needed! pic.twitter.com/Vm2J32KYfM
How will historians make anyone believe that 42 years into 'independence', two Zimbabweans were convicted for inciting public violence, by simply holding the placards below?
— Davis Laque (@Laque_davis) September 29, 2022
Whereas the intention of this lawfare is clear, the method leaves self respecting individuals embarrassed pic.twitter.com/rMDxShIjHA
From Harare Magistrates, we are saddened that Zim's award winning & renowned novelist, filmmaker & cultural activist @EfieZethu & @jbcorporatex have been convicted by Magistrate Barbara Mateko for allegedly taking part in an anti-govt protest held in 2020. More details to follow. pic.twitter.com/TC5jlX63gv
— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) September 29, 2022
We condemn the conviction today of award-winning writer Tsitsi Dangarembga by a Zimbabwe Court, and reiterate our calls to the Zimbabwe authorities to uphold their human rights obligations and desist from persecuting dissenting voices. @EfieZethu https://t.co/f2utmmVaX7
— PEN International (@pen_int) September 29, 2022