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Freedom at Last!
Crisis in Zimbabwe
Coalition
November 21, 2003
Charges against leaders
and activists of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), National
Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and other
civic societies, arrested on Tuesday November 18, 2003 were dropped. The
Activists were arrested for demonstrating against government’s mismanagement
of the economy, high inflation and taxation. We applaud the individual
officers within the Attorney General’s department whose decision it was
to decline to prosecute some of Zimbabwe’s illustrious human rights defenders.
During the war of
liberation thousands of our brothers and sisters died in an effort to
free themselves from oppression and in order to attain basic human rights,
freedoms and dignity. Our arrest and detention illustrates the irony;
that former freedom fighters using laws and brutish tactics similar to
those used by the Rhodesia Front government, suppress freedom of expression
and violate Zimbabweans fundamental human rights. We fought for the right
of self-determination, the right to choose our political leadership, the
freedom to express ourselves through the electronic and print mass media
and the freedom to freely associate with whomsoever we chose. These are
values and norms for which we as Zimbabweans are prepared to die.
As in previous statements,
vindicated by today’s withdrawal of the charges against us, Crisis maintains
that the arrest, detention and subsequent remand of civic society leaders
and activists reveals a shocking and gross abuse of police powers of arrest
and the judicial process. It certainly defies logic that for two days
we were detained in prison cells without being advised of the offence
for which we had been arrested, only to be collectively charged with organising
the demonstration, and then have the charges withdrawn.
Charging civic and
labour leaders and activists under the Miscellaneous Offences Act to stifle
dissent and free expression of opinion simply illustrates just how desperate
and low the government has sunk. Zimbabweans are aware and the world should
know that Zimbabwe is a police state, "where to criticise, excite
disaffection, bring into contempt or ridicule the President is a punishable
offence."
Civic and labour leaders
and activists’ arrest comes in the wake of the recent visit by His Excellency
the Nigerian President, Mr. Obasanjo to Zimbabwe and President Mugabe’s
claim that Zimbabwe has not violated any covenant and that its suspension
should be lifted.
We say to Zimbabweans
and the world; have the reasons for which Zimbabwe was suspended from
the Councils of the Commonwealth resolved?
- has the arbitrary
arrest, detention, harassment and torture of citizens stopped?
- does Zimbabwe uphold
freedom of expression; if so why was the only independent daily newspaper,
the Daily News shut down, and tens of journalists arrested?
- why are illegal
farm invasions and electoral violence continuing?
- was the illegal
arrest and detention of Justice Paradza, and the President and Secretary
of the Law Society not illustrative of the government’s interference
with the Judiciary and officers of the Court?
- why were pastors
carrying crosses, and women carrying roses brutally assaulted, arrested
and incarcerated in prison?
The only way to pressure
President Mugabe to reform the totalitarian state that his government
has created is to point out that he has not done enough to deserve being
admitted into the ranks of democracies. To President Mugabe we say; the
world is watching, but sadly the revolution is eating its own children.
Names of Activists
Detained at Harare Central police Station
- Abel Gumbo
- Alphonso Chasivera
- Andrew Moyse
- Brian Raftopoulos
- Charles Makozho
- Cleve Muronzerei
- Cyprian Chikwira
- Eastvale Kamburai
- Edwell Taringa
- Elias Mlotshwa
- Francis Gombedza
- George Nkiwane
- Golden Marawa
- Hamilton Gomba
- Innocent Sibanda
- Janah Ncube
- Japhet Moyo
- John Girazi
- John Makumbe
- Joseph Midzi
- Kingston Mukondiwa
- Lancelot Mupefure
- Langton Mugeji
- Lovemore Madhuku
- Lovemore Matombo
- Lovemore Mukadadzviti
- Lucia Matibenga
- Macdonald Mangauzani
- Mike Davies
- Monica Makuvise
- Morris Mukanda
- Moses Ngondo
- Omen Maradeva
- Paul Sibeda
- Peter Mutizirei
- Phibeon Chenyika
- Philip Gavaza
- Philip Pasirayi
- Pilate Mushanyuki
- Raymond Majongwe
- Robin Zumalo
- Sibusisiwe Moyo
- Silvester Nhamomuchandidii
- Simon Tayali
- Tabitha Khumalo
- Tarungo Chipuza
- Tecla Masamba
- Vusimuzi Ncube
- Wellington Chibebe
- Wellington Chisese
- Wilson Nyambure
- Yeukai Denheng
Visit the Crisis in
Zimbabwe Coalition fact
sheet
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