THE ZIMBABWE
PEACE PROJECT
The arrests and detention of activists continued throughout the
month of October.
In October, Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)
President, Takudzwa Ngadziore remained incarcerated at
Chikurubi Maximum Prison for staging a peaceful
demonstration against the alleged involvement of Impala Car
Rentals in the abduction of human rights and opposition
activists.
Ngadziore remained a victim of state persecution for
demanding justice on behalf of Muchehiwa who was abducted
by suspected state security agents. Ngadziore was later released
on bail.
Another activist, Terrence Manjengwa who was arrested on 29
August as he was protesting the arrest of Job Sikhala had been
in remand for over 60 days andwas granted bail in October.
This exposes the level to which the State has used prosecution
as a tool for persecution. In addition to these cases of
prominent activists, ZPP recorded s othercases of unlawful
detention.
It comes as stark contrast that Zanu PF linked people when
arrested, have been granted bail, with some of them not having
seen the inside of the remand cells. One typical example is that
of Nicholas Goche, a former minister arrested on 10 October for
cattle theft and released on bail the same day.
ZPP urges the police, the
courts and the entire
judicial system to go back
to the Constitutional
values and respect the
Constitution’s provisions
on separation of power
and the independence of
the judiciary.
ZPP also welcomes the
letter by judges calling on
the Chief Justice Luke
Malaba to stop victimising
judges and manipulating
judgements. The
independence of the
judiciary, and judges is
essential to any
democracy as it allows the
exercise of the rule of law
in a fair and transparent
manner.