Back to Index

Sten Zvorwadza to go on trial today
Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR)
January 30, 2012

Sten Zvorwadza, the ROHR Zimbabwe spokesperson, who spent the weekend in police cells is going for trial today at the Rotten Row courts, 0900 hours. He was arrested on the 28th of January in Mbare under a mysterious charge of being a threat to future violence. He is now being charged under section 186, 'threat to committing murder and undermining state authority.'

On the Saturday in question, A group of more 50 rowdy ZANU PF youths led by Clifford Mazarura (District 4 chairperson) and Clever Ntabende (district 4 secretary) besieged his business premises in Mbare, harassed his employees and threatened to violently shut his business. The militia group alleges that Zvorwadza is a supporter of the MDC and should not be allowed to own and operate a business in Mbare an area they claim to be a ZANU PF stronghold. He went to Mbare police to report on the violation but was instead detained and charged. Assistant Inspector Kashamba was behind the arrest.

Jeremiah Bamu, of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, representing Mr Zvorwadza, confirmed that his client was assaulted while in custody by Constable Mberi. He also confirmed that Sten Zvorwadza was denied access to medical attention. Human rights lawyer Alec Muchadehama and Lovemore Kadenge who had gone to assess the situation on Saturday were also forbidden entry to see Mr Zvorwadza.

Zvorwadza's arrest has brought to the fore the concerns of many peace loving Zimbabweans with regards to continued selective application of the law and police brutality since the coalition government was established.

Visit the ROHR fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP