Resist, Reject and Report Violence, #RRRV2023
4.3 The politicisation of the right to protest
On 22 December, at Joshua Nkomo Statue, members of the Zimbabwe
Republic Police and Central Intelligence Organization arrested three
activists during a Gukurahundi commemoration march. The event
organised by Ibhetshu LikaZulu, a National Transitional Justice Working
Group (NTJWG) stakeholder operating in Matabeleland and Midlands
provinces, was meant to remember victims of Gukurahundi. During the
peaceful march to the main venue at Stanley Square, Makhokhoba
suburb, the state security stopped the event and arrested three propeace advocates, namely Thamsanqa Ncube, Melusi Nyathi and
Samkeliso Nyathi. The targeted victims were arrested shortly after
making their speeches and presentations and were detained at
Bulawayo Central Police. The arrests follow the African Commission on
Human and People's Rights' call on the government to allow public
protests. The call came after Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
reported the government to the human rights body following the arrests
of its members during demonstrations.
ZPP recommends the adoption of the following interventions:
4.3.1 The government and the National Peace and Reconciliation
Commission are to take adequate actions regarding providing sincere
platforms for addressing Gukurahundi.
4.3.2 The ZRP and other security agencies protect the right to protest
and demonstrate, as enshrined in the constitution, and stop the unlawful
arrests of peace advocates, activists and human rights defenders.
December 2022
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
7