An incident unfolded in Zimbabwe as police took action against 18 activists involved in demonstrations advocating for the release of the main opposition leader. This came amidst government warnings of crackdowns on protests leading up to a regional summit.
The arrests, which occurred on Wednesday, coincided with the upcoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit scheduled for August 17, with a preceding trade and development meeting already in progress.
Reports from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) indicated that four of the activists were intercepted at Harare international airport on Wednesday, while another 14 were apprehended in the small town of Kariba in the northwest.
Charges were filed on Thursday against these individuals under public disorder laws due to their involvement in protests demanding the release of opposition leader Jameson Timba, who has been detained since June.
Following the contested August 2023 elections, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF claimed victory, the opposition in Zimbabwe has been subject to a series of arrests.
Timba, who currently leads the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), was taken into custody at his residence on June 16 along with over 70 others for being part of an alleged illegal gathering.
The activists detained in Harare were en route to the town of Victoria Falls to participate in the annual African Philanthropy Conference, according to ZLHR.
Among the detained individuals was Robson Chere, a prominent teacher’s union leader who ZLHR reported as being “visibly tortured & in severe pain.”
Additionally, human rights activist Namatai Kwekweza, a recipient of a 2023 award from the pro-democracy Kofi Annan Foundation, was also part of the group arrested.
Confirming reports of abuse, the foundation stated that Kwekweza and others were subjected to incommunicado detention and torture prior to being handed over to the authorities.
Calling for due process and the full respect of their rights, the foundation urged authorities to act responsibly.
Over the years, critics have accused ZANU-PF of suppressing dissenting voices in Zimbabwe.
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe accused the opposition of instigating protests around the SADC summit to provoke a strong reaction that would attract international attention.
He warned against attempts to disrupt governance, emphasizing that disruptive behaviors would face consequences and that efforts to incite lawlessness will not be tolerated.
Kazembe emphasized the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and dealing decisively with those promoting disorder.
AFP