Opinion / Columnist
Mugabe strikes at activist
12 Jun 2016 at 16:22hrs | Views
As activists at the Vigil commemorated the fifteenth month since the abduction by state security agents in Harare of the human rights campaigner Itai Dzamara, we displayed a new poster - this one condemning the arrest on Wednesday of his brother Patson.
Last week Patson released a photograph of what looked like his brother with his hands tied behind his back and a bandage around his head. He told a news conference that he had been given inside information 'from within the evil establishment'.
Patson was arrested along with four other activists while taking part in a revived protest in Africa Unity Square originally started by Itai against Mugabe's misrule. Their lawyer, Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, said they had been charged with robbery and obstructing the course of justice. 'These are trumped up charges to instil fear and discourage people from occupying Africa Unity Square,' Shava said.
Ten more protestors were detained later in a clear move to close down the protest, which has been gathering increased support as the economy slips towards the cliff edge. They have all now been released on bail.
The Facebook page of Occupy Africa Unity Square was defiant, saying the protest would continue: 'We have been attacked, robbed, beaten, detained without charges, arrested on trumped-up charges, denied bail by charging outrageous amounts, smeared in the Herald. All of this for 10 days of activism. All this for demanding the Freedom hard-earned at Independence, and subsequently sold down the river'. Meanwhile, youths in Bulawayo have started their own occupation outside City Hall.
The protest has aroused international interest. This week the Times of London ran stories about Zimbabwe on three consecutive days. On Monday the headline was 'Cash runs dry after Mugabe plunders banks'. For details of how Mugabe has plundered the banks see an article by Eddie Cross MP.
Last week Patson released a photograph of what looked like his brother with his hands tied behind his back and a bandage around his head. He told a news conference that he had been given inside information 'from within the evil establishment'.
Ten more protestors were detained later in a clear move to close down the protest, which has been gathering increased support as the economy slips towards the cliff edge. They have all now been released on bail.
The Facebook page of Occupy Africa Unity Square was defiant, saying the protest would continue: 'We have been attacked, robbed, beaten, detained without charges, arrested on trumped-up charges, denied bail by charging outrageous amounts, smeared in the Herald. All of this for 10 days of activism. All this for demanding the Freedom hard-earned at Independence, and subsequently sold down the river'. Meanwhile, youths in Bulawayo have started their own occupation outside City Hall.
The protest has aroused international interest. This week the Times of London ran stories about Zimbabwe on three consecutive days. On Monday the headline was 'Cash runs dry after Mugabe plunders banks'. For details of how Mugabe has plundered the banks see an article by Eddie Cross MP.
Source - ZimVigil
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