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ZCTU protests - Human rights defenders info alerts
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
September 13, 2006

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights informs on the status of human rights defenders as regards to the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions countrywide protests code named OPERATION TATAMBURA - USADHERERE MUSHANDI !!

Evening update

Harare
The ZCTU secretary General, Wellington Chibhebhe and the President Lovemore Matombo were arrested this afternoon by the police and they are currently being held at Harare Central Police station. ZLHR lawyers are in attendance.

In a related incident, at around lunch time the police stormed Harvest House the headquarters of the MDC and arrested about 20 people they found in the building and they were taken to Matapi Police Station.

Bulawayo
The ZCTU Provincial Chair Reason Ngwenya and Getrude Mtombeni were arrested in the afternoon. They are still in custody and lawyers are working to secure their release

Between 50-60 Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) women were briefly detained and released but they are threatening to regroup again.

Mutare
Eleven people in Mutare including the Provincial Vice Chair, a Council member and the Educator were arrested by plain clothes policeman. ZLHR have immediately responded to this incident.

Midlands
The Gokwe District Chair, a Mr Maravanyika was arrested just before lunch in Gokwe.

Chitungwiza
50 People were arrested in Chitungwiza this afternoon as they were about to start their procession. Those arrested were from the Chitungwiza Residents Associations, the MDC and WOZA.

Mashonaland West

Chegutu
Edward Dzeka and 11 others were arrested this afternoon. ZLHR lawyers have responded to the situation.

10AM update

Midlands
On 12 September, Maxwell Mnagagwa was picked up by the police in the morning and was questioned and later released at the intervention of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. Maxwell informed the ZLHR lawyers in Midlands that he was told that he will be arrested come 13 September (today). Miss Anna Mapanzure is dealing with this case in Midlands

Mashonaland West
Chinhoyi
On 12 September, A Chinhoyi ZCTU official, one Michael Kandukutu was picked up by CID Law & Order Chinhoyi. He managed to call ZLHR advising that he had been informed that the police will make him spend the night at the station. ZLHR deployed Mr Mike Mutsvairo to deal with the matter.

Mr Mike Mutsvairo of Mushonga & Associates (Chinhoyi) was deployed and is presently attending to the matter.

Kariba
ZLHR informs that the officers of the plantations workers union in Kariba were arrested by the police and efforts are currently underway to establish the names of those arrested and give them legal representation.

Harare
Highfield: On 12 September , ZCTU officers in Highfield were picked up. These are Collin Muringai, Sarah Zikhali and Charles Chidagu. Initial reports indicated that they were being held at Machipisa Police Station. When ZLHR attended at Machipisa police station , it later emerged that they had in fact been moved to Harare Central. ZLHR have attended at Harare Central today 13 Sept.

Matebeleland South
On 12 September Senior District members in Beitbridge were briefly picked up by the police but were later released and ordered to report back to the police station at 08:30hrs on 13 September. They are Denmore Dzokurasa, Solomon Jack and Funboy Moyo. ZLHR have deployed Mr W Tshakalisa in Beitbridge who is currently attending to the case.

Bulawayo
On 12 September, Two ZCTU activists in the Bulawayo District were picked up at night and are presently being held at Bulawayo Central Police station . They are Ramson Muza and Mhlanga. ZLHR lawyer Mr Kossam Ncube is attending to the matter.

Matabeleland North
On 12 September, the ZCTU Hwange District Chair Mr Charles Ncube was picked up at night briefly detained and eventually released at the intervention of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Manicaland
On 12 September, The Rusape District Chair Mr Amos Masumuse was picked up by Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), the Police and One Prison officer in an apparent joint operation. The ZCTU material in his custody was unlawfully confiscated and he was taken to Rusape Police where he was held overnight. ZLHR lawyer Mr Ashel Mutungura was deployed and is traveling to Rusape on 13/9 (today) to attend to the case. As at 0645hrs today he had confirmed that he was on his way to Rusape from Mutare. We will update on the latest developments.

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