Rights activist Betty Makoni arrested again
31 August 2007
By Violet Gonda

We reported on Thursday that Betty Makoni, the Director of the Girl Child Network, and talk show host Rebecca Chisamba, were arrested on allegations of violating the Child Protection Act. On Friday it was revealed that the two were released on Thursday evening but Makoni was told to report to the police in the morning and she was re-detained. At the time of broadcast we were not able find out if she had been released.

The two women are accused of revealing the identities of under-age children in a television programme on abused minors, which was broadcast two months ago. Lawyer Tafadzwa Mugabe said they are being charged for contravening a section of the Criminal Law and Evidence Procedure Act, claiming they unlawfully published identities of minors who are going to testify in criminal trials, without the authority of a magistrate. But the lawyer said the faces of the minors were concealed in the programme presented by Amai Chisamba.

The Girl Child Network is an organization that works with orphans and abused children in Zimbabwe. The outspoken activist has been championing their rights and has in the past spoken out against those in decision-making positions who are abusing their powers. Observers believe her detractors are harassing her.

This is the second week in a row that the human rights activist has been detained. Last week she was arrested together with two American filmmakers on allegations of filming a documentary on the Girl Child Network without accreditation. The US Nationals were later deported after being denied access to lawyers.