Beatrice Mtetwa praises Zimbabwe courts

Zimbabwe-based human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, has hailed the courts for acquitting her of charges of obstructing police investigations.

Mtetwa was arrested a day after a referendum on the new Zimbabwe constitution in March and she spent more than a week in jail. A magistrate has ruled that the State has failed to prove that Mtetwa had obstructed police officers, when she came to the aid of her client, then Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's legal adviser.

Mtetwa helped her client during raids in his home and Tsvangirai's office.

Mtetwa has described her charges as trumped-up.

"Well, of course, I feel vindicated. This was a set up and obviously the courts have seen through it. The contradictions were many and varied, so I am happy that the right conclusion has been reached as early as possible."

Mtetwa adds: "I have since March been doing nothing but defending myself, which means I have not been able to do work for a lot of my clients. So they made sure that they destabilised my practice and made sure my clients were not represented by a lawyer of their choice."

Police beat up Mtetwa in 2003 and 2007. She has won several international awards for her bravery.