Three students from Midlands State University (MSU) are facing serious charges of subverting constitutional government after allegedly distributing flyers on campus opposing a proposed extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028.

Milton Muchayana, 21, Anenyasha Moyo, 22, and Langton Muhoma, 22, were arrested on August 8, 2025, at the MSU Gweru campus.

The trio faces primary charges under section 22(2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for subverting constitutional government, with an alternative count of incitement to commit public violence.

The arrests and subsequent charges were confirmed by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), which is providing legal representation for the students.

Prosecutors allege that the students distributed a total of 12 fliers across the university campus, which they claim incited opposition to the rumoured efforts to extend President Mnangagwa’s tenure from 2028 to 2030.

Details of the state’s evidence include messages reportedly carried on some of the fliers, which prosecutors cited as evidence of the alleged criminal activity.

These messages included phrases such as “Call for rebellion against 2030 vision” and “If humanity must thrive, then individuals are compelled to outmanoeuvre others.”

Following the arrests, authorities seized two mobile phones, an HP laptop, and an Epson printer.

The prosecution contends that these items were used by the students to create and print the materials deemed subversive.

The students spent 14 days in custody before being granted bail by Masvingo High Court Judge Regis Dembure.

They are being represented by Reginald Chidawanyika of ZLHR.

Muchayana, Moyo, and Muhoma are scheduled to return to court on October 9, 2025, for their next appearance.