Three Zimbabwean activists, Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza, and Samuel Gwenzi, have been denied bail following their dramatic arrest after being forcibly removed from a domestic flight last month. This decision comes just before an important international summit set to be held in Zimbabwe.
The activists face charges of disorderly conduct stemming from a protest outside a court in June regarding the detention of numerous opposition supporters. According to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the magistrate determined that the trio poses a flight risk, could potentially engage in further offenses, and might incite public unrest.
Their lawyer reported that they were detained without legal representation for several hours and subjected to torture immediately following their arrest. The activists were on their way to the resort town of Victoria Falls for a conference when the incident occurred. During his initial court appearance, Chere, a teachers’ union leader, appeared in distress, limping and wearing bloodstained clothing.
Kwekweza, a women’s rights advocate, stated she was out of the country when the alleged incident took place. Her lawyer shared that she had been subjected to severe treatment during her interrogation. Similarly, Gwenzi, a local councillor and human rights activist, had his lawyer reveal that his client faced threats against his family during questioning.
UN-appointed human rights experts have called for the immediate release of the activists and the dismissal of all charges against them.
As President Emmerson Mnangagwa prepares to officially assume the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) on Saturday, the summit is expected to attract significant international attention, especially given the recent human rights concerns. The event will take place in the capital, Harare, in the presence of other heads of state.
Since mid-June, over 160 individuals, including opposition politicians, activists, and union leaders, have reportedly been arrested by Zimbabwean authorities. Human Rights Watch and other organizations have documented instances of torture, raising alarms about the implications for human rights under Mnangagwa’s leadership. In a joint statement, these groups urged Sadc leaders to denounce the violations and advocate for the release of the detained individuals.
Recent reports from ZLHR indicate that two members of the main opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), have also been arrested, heightening concerns regarding ongoing repression in Zimbabwe.
