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Violence, recrimination and arrests after policeman's death in Glen View - Index of articles
Glenview 29: 15 months in incarceration
Zimbabwe Human
Rights Association (ZimRights)
August 27, 2012
August 2012
marks the 15th month of detention for the "29 Glenview"
residents who are facing charges
of assaulting and murdering a police officer in Glenview.
Inspector Petros
Mutedza was murdered on the 29th May 2011, after which the police
embarked on an indiscriminate clampdown on the suburb's residents
most of which are perceived members of the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC-T).
It is now approximately
450 days with the matter pending before the courts, moving at a
snail pace and accused persons in detention. No progress has occurred
regarding the trial since July due to the court's indefinite
postponement of the case because of the deteriorating health of
one of the accused persons. Due to such a reason plus the coinciding
court vacation, the SW Radio Africa projected that the trial might
possibly resume sometime in September.
Meanwhile, the
state witnesses that have testified so far have failed to provide
consistent information pointing to how the unfortunate incident
ensued. Even the police have given contradicting statements to the
extent that the court had to visit the crime scene on the 26th June
2012 for an "inspection in loco".
Zimbabwe Human
Rights Association therefore demands finalization of the matter
to ensure restoration of liberties to those who are innocent. There
is no justification for the incessant deprivation of their right
to freedom. It is distressing and inhuman to keep a person for almost
two years without defining his/her fate. This is a clear indication
of lack of objectivity in the way Zimbabwean law, security and judiciary
systems are run. Responsible authorities must define the fate for
the 29 accused persons without further delay.
Visit the Zimbabwe
Human Rights Association (ZimRights) fact
sheet
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