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CHRA staff arrested whilst meeting with residents in Kuwadzana
Combined Harare Residents' Association (CHRA)
January 15, 2003

CHRA's Chief Executive Officer Farai Barnabas Mangodza, Information Officer Jameson Gadzirayi, Executive Committee Member Joseph Rose and Kuwadzana resident, Richard Mudekwe were arrested by police on Tuesday night in Kuwadzana where they were meeting with residents to discuss the forthcoming parliamentary by-election and ways in which CHRA can contribute to the holding of a free and fair election.

They spent the night in detention at Warren Park Police Station. Acting Chairperson Mike Davies, CHRA's lawyer and a member of CHRA tried to speak with them but were denied access by the ZRP. We did manage to get some food to them and saw them from a distance. Their faces were swollen and they were walking with some difficulty; it appears that they may have been assaulted.

We have consequently learnt that they have been transferred to Central Police Station in Harare (1.15pm Wednesday) and handed over to Law and Order Section. We have instructed our lawyers to apply to the High Court for their release but it is unlikely that they will be freed before tomorrow. We understand that they will be charged under POSA.

This is part of the ongoing attempt by the regime to silence civic activists working for democracy in Harare and Zimbabwe. Mayor Mudzuri has been threatened with re-arrest since his release on Monday.

We will update as the situation develops but call on all residents to be prepared to protest this assault upon our freedom and our hard-won local democracy.

For more information:
Tel: +263-(0)91-249430
Email: chraadvo@ecoweb.co.zw, chra@ecoweb.co.zw

Visit the CHRA fact sheet

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