Police arrest 2 human rights activists in Chinhoyi church

By Tererai Karimakwenda
09 March, 2011

The wave of arrests in Zimbabwe continued on Wednesday when police in Chinhoyi disrupted a workshop and arrested two human rights activists, in a church. The event had been organized by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and the United Church of Christ Zimbabwe (UCCZ).

According to Blessing Vava of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) a participant in the workshop, police burst in and arrested Owen Dhliwayo and Catherine Mukwapati, who were chairing a session on the importance of human rights.

Vava explained that the workshop was intended to teach young activists what is contained in the human rights charters of the United Nations and the African Union. Youth members from the UCCZ church, the NCA and several different organizations had attended.

Although all other youth participants were dispersed by the police, Vava said NCA progressive youth development coordinator, Claris Madhuku and ZLHR officer Tineyi Mukwewa went missing soon after.

“We understand that they escaped from the church but we have not been able to contact them on their mobiles since,” said Vava. “We have also not been able to confirm what the charges are,” he added.

Police clearance for such a gathering is not required by law in Zimbabwe, just simple notification is enough. But the police apply the law selectively, banning any meetings that are perceived as political threats and allowing ZANU PF free rein to organize public events at any time.

Police have recently told several organizations that all public gatherings have been banned by the authorities in Harare, until further notice. Yet Robert Mugabe held his so-called anti-sanctions rally in Harare last week, while the ban was in effect.

Meanwhile over a dozen activists are still in police detention around the country, facing trumped-up charges in cases that have received global condemnation.

In detention in Bulawayo are three leaders of the Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF), who were arrested last Friday. Paul Siwela, John Gazi and Charles Thomas face treason charges for holding a meeting where they allegedly discussed overthrowing the government. They are also being accused of distributing flyers urging people to stage Egypt-style anti-government revolts. On Monday the three were formally charged with treason and face the death penalty if found guilty.

Three members from the Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), were released Wednesday afternoon. They had been arrested Monday when riot police and army units disrupted a march commemorating International Women’s Day. WOZA leader Jenni Williams said police admitted there were no witnesses that the women had blocked the sidewalk, which was the “ridiculous” charge they were facing. Eneles Dube, Janet Dube and Selina Dube, had gone missing after their arrest Monday. Williams said they were released after signing warned and cautioned statements.

Still in detention in Harare since February 19th are Munyaradzi Gwisai, coordinator of the International Socialist Organisation (ISO), and five other activists who are facing treason charges. They were arrested just for watching video footage of the protests in North Africa at a meeting in Harare.

Originally police arrested Gwisai and 45 others, but on Monday a magistrate ordered the release of 39 activists. The six remaining in detention are Gwisai, gender activist Antonater Choto, Zimbabwe National Students Union leaders Welcome Zimuto and Eddson Chakuma, labor activist Tatenda Mombeyarara, and anti-debt campaigner Hopewell Gumbo.

The activists’ lawyer, Charles Kwaramba, has said Gwisai and other activists were severely assaulted and tortured behind bars and are being held in solitary confinement.

And in Manicaland, MDC-T MP and COPAC co-chairperson, Douglas Mwonzora, plus 28 of his constituents, remain in detention at Mutare Remand Prison. They are facing charges of public violence stemming from a meeting Mwonzora held in Mutare, that was disrupted by ZANU PF thugs.

Their lawyer David Tandire told SW Radio Africa that the bail hearing, due to be heard Wednesday, was postponed till Thursday because of some “irregularities in the Notice of Appeal filed by the State”.
“The state is trying to extend the period of detention through some unorthodox means,” Tandire said. The lawyer said he hopes for significant progress in the case on Thursday.