News / National
Gays chairperson to appear in court for running 'illegal' NGO
04 Dec 2013 at 22:29hrs | Views
Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe chairperson, Martha Tholanah, has been served with summons to appear at the Rotten Row Magistrate Court on December 12, 2013, to answer charges of running an 'unregistered' organisation.
The summons were served on Tholanah's lawyer, Tonderai Bhatasara of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Bhatasera told The Zimbabwean that his client denies the charges and would give her defence at the court on the set date.
"Since the case is not like the 4242 type which would go straight to court, I cannot disclose our defense at this stage for legal and strategic reasons," Bhatasera said.
Part of the summons read: "On August 20, 2012 and at number 35 Colenbrander Road, Milton Park, Gays and Lesbians Association being represented by Martha Tholanah, the co-director of Gays and Lesbians, not registered, unlawfully took part in the management of the group by gathering its members While engaging in gays and lesbians in contravention of the said Act."
This is not the first time for GALZ to be served with such summons.
On August 23, 2012, the GALZ co-chairperson was served with summons charging her with running an 'unregistered' organisation in contravention of section 6 (iii) of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act.
GALZ was formed in 1989 to provide gay men and lesbians in Zimbabwe with a network to facilitate communication within the gay community.
Its objective is to increase awareness of gay rights in as broad a forum as possible and integrate these rights with other basic human rights for which civil society is currently battling.
The summons were served on Tholanah's lawyer, Tonderai Bhatasara of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Bhatasera told The Zimbabwean that his client denies the charges and would give her defence at the court on the set date.
"Since the case is not like the 4242 type which would go straight to court, I cannot disclose our defense at this stage for legal and strategic reasons," Bhatasera said.
Part of the summons read: "On August 20, 2012 and at number 35 Colenbrander Road, Milton Park, Gays and Lesbians Association being represented by Martha Tholanah, the co-director of Gays and Lesbians, not registered, unlawfully took part in the management of the group by gathering its members While engaging in gays and lesbians in contravention of the said Act."
This is not the first time for GALZ to be served with such summons.
On August 23, 2012, the GALZ co-chairperson was served with summons charging her with running an 'unregistered' organisation in contravention of section 6 (iii) of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act.
GALZ was formed in 1989 to provide gay men and lesbians in Zimbabwe with a network to facilitate communication within the gay community.
Its objective is to increase awareness of gay rights in as broad a forum as possible and integrate these rights with other basic human rights for which civil society is currently battling.
Source - Zimbabwean
