Back to Index

This article participates on the following special index pages:

Harassment of citizens must stop
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
July 03, 2012

ZimRights is greatly perturbed by the continued persecution of human rights activists. Seven member of Women of Zimbabwe Arise are reported to have spent a night behind bars yesterday for reasons yet to be disclosed. Two more a re reportedly missing while the seven are said to have been denied breakfast this morning at Western Commonage police station.

The seven were reportedly arrested on two separate incidents. In a statement, WOZA suspects that the crackdown is somehow the state's retaliation to the "occupy and demand the draft constitution campaign" that WOZA has been conducting since May 2012. The sketchy information points to the effect that the seven seem to be facing accusations of writing their demands on roads sing paint. The messages include among others, "Fire Chihuri (the partisan police commissioner); devolution for development; we want separation of powers and we want education."

The seven who are Vigilant Lunga, Violet Dube, Theresa Phiri, Catherine Dhliwayo, Eunice Moyo, Mpikelelo Moyo and Sibongiel Lumbile were reportedly loaded into a van this morning heading to where the messages were written. The missing two are Miriam Ngcebetsha and Ottilia Dube who were arrested at Matshobana at 7pm yesterday.

This is clear indication that the country is still in dire crisis. Citizens should be allowed to exercise their rights, and this must be ensured before any election can take place. The state must protect its citizens and not become the main threat to security, as is the situation in Zimbabwe. We commend WOZA for their steadfast and undeterred efforts in spite of the persecution they have encountered. Citizens have the right to food even in a case where they are found guilt. It is disturbing to note that in this case they are denied such a fundamental right before even investigations started. We demand the restoration of their liberties forthwith. Police must investigate to arrest and not to arrest to investigate.

Visit the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) 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