Baba Jukwa acquitted after “umbrella possession” trial

Freelance journalist and Baba Jukwa character Edmund Kudzai was yesterday acquitted by Harare Magistrate Victoria Mashamba.

Kudzai had been on trial for allegedly possessing a camouflage umbrella.

State prosecutor Idah Marimo had charged that the 32 year-old Kudzayi, who was arrested on Friday 22 February 2019 at a police check-point along Domboshava road in Harare, possessed or wore an umbrella and its pouch made of material carrying army style camouflage markings in contravention of the country’s laws.

But on Thursday 28 March 2019, Magistrate Mashamba set free Kudzayi after acquitting him of committing the offence after upholding an application filed by the journalist’s lawyer Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who argued that his client had not committed an offence as the charge sheet and state outline did not disclose an offence recognisable at law.

Magistrate Mashamba agreed with Shava’s submissions that an umbrella is not wearable apparel and that it’s not part of an item or items which can be described as a uniform…the zimbabwean