Civic leaders arrested in Zimbabwe
Via SW Radio Africa- further to our post earlier today:
Wellington Chibebe (Secretary General) and Lovemore Matombo (President) have managed to hand the ZCTU petition to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor.
Soon after handing it over, Chibebe proceeded to address workers but was arrested while in the process of addressing the workers. He was arrested together with 9 other people including Tonderai Nyahunzvi, Canwell Muchadya, Hillarious Ruyi, Cde Tarumbira and Joseph Chuma.
Another 10 in Harare were heavily assaulted by the police. These included Getrude Hambira (General Agricultural and Plantation Workers’ Union – General Secretary), Angeline Chitambo (Zimbabwe Energy Workers’ Union – President), Tecla Masamba (Communications and Allied Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe), Martha Kajama (National Engineering Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe) and Mirriam Katumba (Vice Chair Women’s Advisory Council).
Meanwhile, Japhet Moyo (ZCTU Deputy Secretary General) Ben Madzimure (The Worker Editor), Fungayi Kanyongo (The Worker Intern), Raymond Majongwe (Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe – General Secretary), James Gumbi (Zimbabwe Rural District Council Workers’ Union – General Secretary), Osward Madziwa (PTUZ) were also arrested in Harare.
In Gweru more than 25 people have been arrested. Amongst those arrested are the ZCTU Central Regional chair Charles Chikozho, Isaac Thebethebe (Central region secretary), Moses Mhaka and Wilbert Muringani (both PTUZ) and Benard Sibanda.
In Zvishavane town 6 people were arrested while at Barclays Bank. The six are Elinas Gumbo, Ndodana Sithole, Nicholas Zengeya, Isaac Matsikidze, Sarudzai Chimwanda, and David Moyo. They are being held at Zvishavane police station.
December 3rd, 2008 14:54
Any suggestions for the best place for outside pressure in reaction to this? Gideon Gono’s email aside…
December 4th, 2008 07:02
Gideon Gono is now obviously blocking the sort of emails that we like to send him – mine just bounced.
December 5th, 2008 01:24
The BBC is currently reporting on its African news site that Prime Minister Rail Odinga of Kenya has made the strongest official comments to date of any African Leadetr Regarding Mugabe. It is reported that he sais, “it’s time for African governments to push him outof power.” Mr Odinga also said that, “if he were isolated he would have no choice but to quit.”