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ZCTU leaders arrested during human rights demo
The Zimbabwean
December 12, 2012

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/news/zimbabwe/62716/zctu-leaders-arrested-during-human.html

Two Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) leaders were arrested in Bulawayo today Monday morning during a demonstration to commemorate the Human Rights Day.

ZCTU Western Region Vice Chairman Ambrose Sibindi and administrator Percy Mcijo were arrested after police blocked the ZCTU demonstration at the Large City hall in the city centre.

Speaking to journalists in Bulawayo, Reason Ngwenya, and ZCTU Western Region Chairman said his deputy Sibindi and Mcijo were arrested during a march to commemorate the Human Rights Day in the city centre as police accused them of marching without their permission.

"There was some confusion this morning which saw police arresting Mcijo and Sibindi before taking them to Bulawayo Central police station. Last week the Bulawayo Police District Regulatory Authority gave us a permission to go ahead with the march. But we were shocked today when some overzealous junior police officers blocked our march and arrested the two on allegations organizing an illegal street march without police clearance. The two were only released after we produced a clearance letter from police Bulawayo District Regulatory Authority and the demonstration was allowed to proceed," said Ngwenya.

During the demonstration the morethan 400 ZCTU members were carrying placards written "Respect Workers Rights," Candles cannot replace ZESA" and "We Need Revival of Bulawayo Industries"

The march kicked off from ZCTU offices along 13th Avenue and passed through the High Court and City Hall before it ended at the same offices.

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December. The day was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The day is normally marked both by high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues.

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