26 August
Freedom of
Association
*Chenai Danda was wearing an MDC-T t-shirt when he was approached by ten Zanu PF youths at Beverly
Bottle Store in Msasa. He was assaulted and accused of taking part in demonstrations. Danda sustained
injuries but refused to report the assault at the local police station for fear of victimisation.
26 August
Freedom of the
media
A journalist James Jemwa was arrested on charges of incitement while covering a demonstration. He was
detained for over a week and granted bail in September. The detention of a journalist arrested while on duty
violated his right to cover events as a journalist and threatened security while at the same time citizens were
denied access to information.
Access to
information
26 August
Freedom of
expression
Access to
information
27 August
Right to
personal
security
Rights of
detained
persons
A grand coalition of 18 political parties, National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA), held what was intended to
be a peaceful protest in Harare. The protest turned violent when riot police attacked protesters with baton
sticks, teargas and water canons despite that the High Court had issued a court order ordering the police to
allow the protest. According to NERA, the coalition aims to heal the anger within the masses caused by
President Mugabe’s misrule and brutality, identifying an overarching common cause that goes beyond mere
grievances against the government and demanding electoral reforms.
Police went on a rampage raiding bars and western suburbs following protest that had been held earlier on the
day. Armed men raided MDC Harare Provincial chairperson, Kerina Dewa’s Glenview home. Dewa was seized
from her home and her whereabouts were not known until the following day when she was found at Harare
Central Police Station. Other Glenview residents were physically assaulted. She was detained for over 10 days
and released on $100 bail.
Freedom of
expression and
association
27 August
Freedom of
Expression
At Parirenyatwa hospital six people were received after members of the army had beaten and accused them of
demonstarting against the government. The injured comprised of two women and four men. They were ferried
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