Mtetwa’s lawyers lodge High Court appeal

Posted by on Thursday, March 21, 2013 in Judiciary, Zimbabwe politics | 5 comments

Irene Petras and Beatrice Mtetwa (Picture courtesy of Tor-Hugne Olsen)

By Nomalanga Moyo
21 March 2013

Lawyers for incarcerated human rights defender Beatrice Mtetwa, have launched a fresh bid to have her released by lodging an application at the High Court on Thursday.

The application will be heard by Justice Joseph Musakwa on Friday morning, after Mtetwa’s lawyers filed an appeal asking the higher court to set aside the dismissal of an earlier bail application by Harare Provincial Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.

On Wednesday, Gofa dismissed Mtetwa’s bail application on the basis that if granted bail she would interfere with police investigations.

According to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Mtetwa’s legal team argued that Magistrate Gofa was wrong to refuse the human rights lawyer bail and that her ruling must be set aside on appeal.

Mtetwa was arrested while attending to her clients – Thabani Mpofu, Felix Matsinde, Mehluli Tshuma and councillor Warship Dumba, who are being charged with contravening a section of the Official Secrets Act for allegedly receiving or communicating secret information; and sections of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act for alleged impersonation and for possession of articles for criminal use.

They are being accused of running an NGO and impersonating police officers in order to compile corruption and criminal dossiers against government officials, such as Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.

Meanwhile, Zimbabweans across the world have launched a series of petitions calling on Zimbabwean authorities to release Mtetwa. These include the “Free Beatrice Mtetwa Now” started by Kibho here.

Another US-based petitioner, Lorie Conway, is calling on President Robert Mugabe to release the fearless Mtetwa. See here

In Zimbabwe, Sokwanele is urging people to call Rhodesville Police Station (where Mtetwa is being held) on these numbers: +263 (4) 495753; +263 (4) 481111.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition director McDonald Lewanika said it was important for Zimbabweans to rally together and do everything possible, through campaigns, petitions and other initiatives to get Mtetwa released.

“What is at stake here is everyone’s liberties, not just those of Beatrice Mtetwa,” Lewanika said.

  • AmaiZim

    Roy Bennett updated his status on Face Book and shared a link Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law-Trailer:

    “The arrest of brave Beatrice Mtetwa last week is a stark reminder of how little freedom we have to speak openly and honestly about human rights. It is a clear sign that ZANU-PF is scared in this critical stage of our country’s history and want to silence any opposition. They will never have enough police to do this as there are now thousands of us willing to stand up to them. We must all take inspiration from Beatrice’s courage and continue to stand up for the rights of our people. For her and the rest of our beautiful nation, stay strong and encourage those around you to do the same.

    http://vimeo.com/58496261

    • Chimbwidos Warvets

      Oh Roy Bennett is still alive. I am told he is in hiding in South Africa. What is he scared of if he wants to engage in politics? He must be running away from criminality he is accused of by the Zimbabwe government. What a former white settler in Zimbabwe who is so scared of death as cockroaches. Anybody who is so scared to the extent of shouting at the top of his voice while in another country as Roy Bennett does can never be a successful politician in Zimbabwe. If Bennett is man enough, he has to be in Zimbabwe and be ‘in the thick of things’, if he dreams to be the President of Zimbabwe one day. What a coward who does not own even a single ball who is only good at shouting from the top of his voice while in a foreign country. Very soon, he will be a forgotten idiot and fool dreaming of the impossible and nuts

      • Nyoni

        OH YES PACHEDU BENNETT IS A LIVE AND WELL, So keep guessing Chimp-wanker. You are so stupid and ignorant about the realities, Bennett is one of THE most popular politicians in Zimbabwe. He is deeply respected by the people for his courage and resolute determination to stand with the people and face up to your cowardly bosses which you boot lick for favours. He is an elected representative of the people and thrashed the living daylights out of ZANU PF even when elections were rigged. If Bennett stood against the geriatric Mugape in a free and fair election, he would thrash him too, just like he thrashed that other cowardly wimp Chinamasa.
        You talk your usual trash but it doesn’t wash with the people. Bennett has more balls that all you zanoids put together and that is why you hate him so much and why you are so scared of him.

        • Chimbwido Warvet

          As usual, you are a joke if you think a former white settler who exterminated my people during a senseless war waged by selous scouts which he personally led can defeat a nationalist and the surviving father of Zimbabwe as Mugabe in an election. You must be living on utopia island. Roy Bennett has no ball left at all as he is the most scared former white settler now a refugee in South Africa.

  • Arise

    Mugabe, you and your lot are dying. The people hate you.