Top Harare lawyer Obey Shava is fighting for his life after a brutal attack by suspected state agents that has left him with broken legs and severe injuries.
Shava, who has been representing CCC opposition party supporters in court, was set upon by four thugs on Wednesday night in a shocking assault condemned as “despicable and cowardly”.
CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Siziba confirmed the attack, saying: “Yes it’s true…I have just been briefed on the matter.”
Councillor Denford Ngadziore, who visited Shava’s bedside at hospital, revealed the rights lawyer was badly hurt, sustaining broken legs and injuries “all over his body”.
Acclaimed lawyer Thabani Mpofu tweeted that Shava was “viciously attacked by four men who broke his legs and left him battling for life”.
He slammed authorities, saying: “The safety of our citizens must be uppermost on the State’s agenda”.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights group strongly condemned the “cowardly” attack and called for justice.
Police claim they have not received any reports about the assault, in what critics allege is a cover-up.
The attack comes amid rising tensions ahead of the August elections, with the opposition accusing the regime of resorting to violence.
Sources say Shava’s crime was representing CCC members – and a brutal lesson has been dealt to silence critics.
