The courtroom gasped and the two accused; Tsitsi Dangarembga and Julie Barnes stood motionless as the verdict was pronounced.
Acclaimed author Tsitsi Dangarembga and friend Julie Barnes: “Guilty of inciting public violence and breaching the peace”, came the judgement.
Critics say freedom of speech was on trial here.
The two women were arrested for holding placards on the side of a main road that called for a better Zimbabwe, for reforms and for the release from jail of two government critics.
They say they were merely exercising their constitutional rights.
But the magistrate ruled that by protesting on a public road intended could have provoked the public to protest.
The sentence is a fine of 70,000 Zimbabwe dollars ($220; £200) or three months in jail if they can’t pay.
They have agreed to pay the fine and have until Tuesday to do so.
If they reoffend within the next five years they will be jailed for six months.
It comes amid criticism of a government crackdown on opponents.
Source: BBC