On 29 September renowned Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga and coaccused Julie Barnes were convicted of participating in a public gathering with
intent to incite public violence at Harare Magistrates Court. The pair were given a
suspended prison sentence for inciting violence by staging a peaceful protest
calling for political reform in 2020. Dangarembga was arrested in July 2020 for
holding a placard inscribed “We want better. Reform our institutions” during a
peaceful protest while Barnes was also apprehended for brandishing a placard
demanding freedom of the media. The pair were each fined ZWL70 000 (500
USD). A six-month jail term was suspended for the next five years on condition
that the two do not commit a similar offence.
On 4 September a case of abduction and right to personal security was reported
in Damofalls suburb in Goromonzi North. It is alleged that a CCC supporter was
abducted and tortured by persons suspected to be Zanu PF activists around
sunset. Reports confirm that he was manhandled and forced into a vehicle and
taken to an unknown location. The assailants reportedly brutally assaulted him
and he passed out. He was then dumped near a dairy farm east of Arcturus mine.
He woke up disoriented the next day and was assisted by some locals to contact
his family and party.
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