29 7.1.2 Follow Up Legal Support Services 99 97% of cases that went through trials were finalised favorably with a verdict of not guilty for concerned HRDs. Although 242 HRDs were still facing criminal charges by the end of 2015, ZLHR is confident that these cases will be resolved favourably. In some finalised cases, lawyers secured not guilty verdicts as the prosecutor had failed to prove the cases against the HRDs beyond reasonable doubt. Some of the cases involved informal traders, villagers as well as peaceful protestors. State v Killion Masuku and 39 Others Killion Masuku and 39 others were arrested on 9 March 2015 at Maleme ranch and charged with kidnapping. While 40 people were arrested initially and the majority were released without a charge with only twelve 12 being charged with kidnapping as defined in section 85(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. They were detained over night at Khezi Police Station. The remaining twelve villagers from Maleme, had been conducting agricultural activities at Maleme ranch as they had an understanding with the owner Mr Cunningham that they will sell the produce and give back to the owner what he gave them to start the farming projects and retain all profits for their sustenance. Maleme ranch was gazetted for takeover by one Rodney Mashingaidze a state agent who had started evicting people from the land. The entire village came together to try and stop the eviction as they said their livelihood was sustained by the farm and the projects run by the farm owner. In resisting being evicted from the farm, Rodney Mashingaidze called the police and alleged the villagers had kidnapped his aide. The matter went for trial and on 2 April, Killion and 11 other villagers were found not guilty. This was a clear case of targeting of HRDs. ZLHR Annual Report 2015 ZLHR's HRDs Manager chats with some past beneficiaries of legal services