ACTSA condemns the ongoing harassment and intimidation of opposition politicians and civil society activists in Zimbabwe.
Joana Mamombe, MDC Alliance member of the House of Assembly for Harare West, was arrested on 2 August in Nyanga (north-eastern Zimbabwe). Mamombe, who is the country’s youngest MP, was freed on 8 March after bail was set at $3,000 by the High Court.
Mamombe is accused of subverting a constitutionally elected government. As part of her conditions for release, she must report twice weekly to the police and she must not address any news conferences. Mamombe has challenged her arrest and detention, arguing her human rights were breached.
Her fellow MDC Alliance legislator, Chalton Hwende, was also released on $3,000 bail by the High Court on 8 March. Like Mamombe, Hwende is accused of subverting a constitutionally elected government. He has been ordered not to address public gatherings or use social media. The MDC Alliance’s national spokesperson, Jacob Mafume, was released by the police on 11 March after spending several hours being interrogated.
ACTSA also condemns actions taken by the Zimbabwean state against our partners including the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
Rashid Mahiya, CiZC Chairperson, is facing charges of plotting to overthrow the government. He was granted bail by the High Court on 7 March after the State failed to make submissions. The bail application had been postponed twice.
Meanwhile the trial of ZCTU President Peter Mutasa, Secretary-General Japhet Moyo and 5 others over the 11 October 2018 anti-austerity protests continues this week. The ZCTU officials are accused of disrupting public order. Peter and Japhet were beaten by police before the protest in Harare.
ACTSA calls on the UK government and the European Union to press the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) to cease targeting opposition politicians and civil society activists for conducting their business. Restoration of normal relations with Zimbabwe should be contingent upon the GoZ demonstrating genuine respect for human rights, including ensuring that those responsible for human rights violations are held accountable.