More confirmed ZEC arrests from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights confirm the details of the arrests of three more ZEC officials. These are in addition to the four we blogged yesterday. This is not a definitive list: ZLHR are simply alerting us all to what they know to be true, and it is likely that there will be further confirmations as they get more and more information. They’ve also provided an update on Shadreck Mufute.
Coincidentally, a ‘This is Zimbabwe’ reader has an image in his Flickr photostream of Shadreck Mufute. If this is indeed him, then here is a face to a name for one of the people you’ve all been thinking of. (Another image here).
FURTHER CONFIRMED ARRESTS OF ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION PERSONNEL
Further to our Press Statement earlier today, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is now in a position to confirm the following additional arrests:-
- In Chipinge, two Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) election officers, Laison Sithole and Joram Kamhunga, were arrested on an as yet unconfirmed date. They appeared in court today, 8 April 2008, and were represented by a ZLHR member. Sithole faces charges under section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (”the Criminal Code”), whilst Kamhunga has been charged with contravening section 87 of the Electoral Act, as amended, in that he allegedly willfully failed to properly carry out his duty by failing to post the polling station return outside the polling station. The outcome of the hearing has not yet been established.
- On an as yet unconfirmed date one Tawanda Gonye, a ZEC election officer working in Binga, was arrested. A member of ZLHR was deployed from Bulawayo to represent him, and managed to secure his release on bail. Gonye was thus remanded out of custody until 23 April 2008.
- In an update of a case reported earlier today of Shadreck Mufute, a ZEC elections officer who was stationed at Ward 25 in Mutasa South and was arrested in Mutare and charged with fraud under section 136(a) of the Criminal Code, alternatively contravening section 87 of the Electoral Act, as amended, the Mutare magistrate allowed his release on bail in the sum of Z$ 600 million, with restriction of movement, and reporting conditions.
ZLHR continues to be concerned that the Chairperson of ZEC has not publicly denounced such attacks and calls on Commissioner Justice Chiweshe to immediately provide a public explanation in this regard.
Further updates will be provided in due course.
April 10th, 2008 10:35
WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND IS HOW ALL THE BORDERING COUNTRIES, SOUTH AFRICA AND EVEN OUR OWN HERE IN THE UK CAN ALLOW THIS TO BE GOING ON WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD ITS AS THOUGH mr mugabe HAS SOMETHING ON EVERYONE WHY IS EVERYONE SO FRIGHTENED OF THIS PERSON IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE NOW
HE SHOULD BE MADE BY LAW TO RELEASE THE RESULTS WHETHER HE LIKES IT OR NOT ITS NOT HIS CHOICE I FEEL SO SORRY FOR YOU ALL IN ZIMBABWE GOODNESS KNOWS WHAT HE IS GOING TO GET HIS MEN TO DO NEXT. HE MUST NOW BE A VERY DESPERATE MAN . I WONDER WHERE HE WILL FINALLY GO WHEN HE HAS TO LEAVE WHICH COUNTRY IS HE GOING TO GO TO???
April 10th, 2008 20:49
How can thwe other black countries allow this - because pride and not loosing face is paramount. To admit they have a HITLER as head of state would be to admit Black rule has thus far failed!
Try that devil in the Hague for crimes aginst his own people and all the cronies getting rich at the expense of the man on the street. He has built a leagcy of famine for a country which was capable of sustaining all and had huge potential for development . Give Tsangari and the next generation of black leaders a chance to breathe back life into the Zimbabwe corpse.
April 11th, 2008 11:55
Neighboring countries have had a long history of protecting and shielding Mugabe, when not actively supporting him. Mbeki is a good example. His ANC is not a paragon of democracy either and they have always been friendly/cozy with the ZANU-PF. Do you really think they are going to help the MDC which first move would be to denounce people who helped the dictature? They are mean but not stupid. When there will be true democracy in one African country, maybe this country will genuinely help Zimbabwe. Until then, you can all pray…