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Update on Arrests
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
7pm January 15, 2003

The three members of the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) - Executive Director Barnabas Mangodza, Advocacy and Information Officer Jameson Gadzirai, and Chairperson of the Membership Committee Joseph Rose - who were arrested on 14th January 2003 in Kuwadzana have been released.

The police could not find any charges against them in violation of POSA. However each of the three was required to pay an admission of guilt fee of "action likely to cause a breach of peace." The three report that they were beaten by youth militia members while in the Kuwadzana constituency between 6pm - 8pm last night. They were beaten before the police arrested them.

The three had gone to Kuwadzana for a meeting with the Chairperson of the Kuwadzana Residents Association. They were to discuss the voter registration exercise in light of the pending by-election in that constituency.

They have gone to the Avenues Clinic for treatment and to report their injuries.

The arrest is yet another example of the repressive politics of this regime, and its attempts to undermine the legitimate activities of civic organisations. Both CHRA and the Crisis Coalition will continue to fight for the rights of Zimbabweans to develop a democratic system of government and will resist all attempts by the Zanu PF regime to subvert this process.

In accordance with this position, the Crisis Coalition demands:
- An end to the regime's intimidation of the Harare Mayor
- An end to attempts to undermine the elected officials of local government

In another case, St Mary's MP Job Sikhala and NGO Human Rights Forum Lawyer Gabriel Shumba are still in police custody. Their lawyers believe that they are being held at Harare Central Police Station but they have not been allowed to see the two.

An urgent Court Application will be heard at 8:30 pm tonight at the High Court in front of Justice Paradza.

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition condemns these arrests and demands the immediate release of Shumba and Sikhala.

For more information:
Tel/Fax: +263-(0)4-747810
Email: crisis-zim@transparency.org.zw

Visit the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition fact sheet

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