Harare – A disturbing incident at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare where four pro-democracy activists allegedly endured hours of varied torture after being forcibly removed from their flight and detained incommunicado for the full evening has being critised
‘by human rights defenders, Zimlive has reported.
Namatai Kwekweza, ARTUZ Secretary-General Robson Chere, Harare Ward 5 councilor and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) official Samuel Gwenzi and Vusumuzi Moyo had just boarded their short Fastjet flight to the scenic Victoria Falls when abruptly instructed to disembark by indistinctly garbed men just before take-off. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) says the four encountered torture, with intensities and severities differing between each of them.
“Chere endured particularly severe agony,” said Rose Hanzi, who is the ZLHR’s executive director.
The activists are said to have been transported to disparate rooms inside the domestic terminal building where the alleged torture transpired, before being handed over to police after being detained for about eight hours.
“The police are complicit. They just received them with clear evidence of torture. They should have arrested the torturers,” Hanzi stated.
The ZLHR has confirmed that the four activists have been charged with “disorderly conduct in a public place” after allegedly participating in a court protest last month in solidarity with over 70 activists from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) who are detained without bail on public order charges. The quartet is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, after police failed to present them before a magistrate on Thursday.
The unsettling occurrence has sparked widespread condemnation, with the British embassy in Harare issuing a statement calling on the Zimbabwe government to “uphold the rule of law, including constitutional rights to assembly and association, and to ensure due process for all Zimbabweans.”
The detention and alleged abuse of activists has ignited serious concerns about human rights in Zimbabwe, especially preceding the upcoming SADC summit later this month. Zimbabwe’s notoriously anxious security agencies are reportedly monitoring opposition leaders and prominent pro-democracy activists, dreading potential protests during the summit.
Meanwhile, the government has issued a stern warning to opposition elements, stating that any tries to incite violent protests before or during the upcoming SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government will be met with decisive action.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, made the declaration at a press conference in Harare, emphasizing the government’s commitment to preserving peace and security during the summit, which will see President Mnangagwa assume the chairmanship of the regional bloc.
Minister Kazembe expressed disappointment at what he termed the “misplaced priorities” of sections of the opposition, who he accused of agitating to stir civil unrest at a time when the nation should be focused on hosting the summit. He pointed out that the timing of the push for demonstrations was not surprising, given the opposition’s historic tendency for mobilising around regional and international events.
“This SADC Summit was, therefore, not going to be an exception. It is clear that the organisers seek to provoke a harsh response from the Government which they assume will attract global attention and put Zimbabwe on the spotlight. We have been through such episodes before and are prepared for the same,” he said.
The Minister began his speech by firmly asserting that the democratically elected government had a constitutional duty to lead the nation, having recently gained the people’s mandate in fair elections. He made clear that they would not hesitate to exercise the popular will of the citizens through peaceful and lawful means.
“It is indeed disappointing to note the misplaced priorities of sections of the opposition who are agitated to stir civil unrest at a time focus should be on hosting the Summit,” said Minister Kazembe.
In addition, the Minister Kazembe went on to say police are aware of clandestine gatherings both within Zimbabwe and across the borders, organized by those hoping to incite unrest and aided by external critics. He, however, cautioned that the presence of visitors during the SADC Summit will not shield criminal elements from the consequences of fomenting instability at such a crucial time.
