In a notable development yesterday, the High Court granted bail of US$200 each to eight Gokwe residents who had been detained following their protest against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent appointment as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The eight individuals were arrested on August 16, 2024, in connection with their vocal disapproval of President Mnangagwa’s new role. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) reported that these arrests were part of a larger crackdown in Gokwe, where 12 people were detained for allegedly participating in anti-government demonstrations.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has indicated that the detained individuals, suspected to be members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), were held at Chitekete Police Station. This came after a flash protest at Gokwe Centre on August 15, 2024, during which protesters expressed their dissatisfaction with President Mnangagwa’s SADC chairmanship.
Among those arrested were the two wives of Tawanda Siampongo, a resident of the Gokwe-Kabuyuni constituency, who were taken into custody when police could not locate their husband. A viral video captured the sentiments of Givemore Chuma, a prominent activist in the group. Chuma articulated a strong opposition to President Mnangagwa’s role, stating, “SADC must not be used to sanitize President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy. This is what we are saying as the inhabitants of Gokwe. We are holding these demonstrations to send out a clear message.”
Chuma further criticized the international community’s acceptance of President Mnangagwa’s new position, saying, “It has been common knowledge through the years that people from Gokwe are backward, but today we have taken the first step in sending the message that we are not supporting the conferment of the SADC chairmanship to Mnangagwa.”
He emphasized that no legitimate electoral process had placed Mnangagwa in office and argued that the SADC chairmanship should rightfully go to Advocate Nelson Chamisa, who he claims won the election. “It is unfair to reward election theft in such a manner,” Chuma asserted. “What we appreciate is the fact that Advocate Nelson Chamisa won this election and he is the one who deserves the chairmanship.”
Chuma also referenced the Constitutional right to demonstrate under Section 59 and criticized ZANU PF’s stance on power transfer in Zimbabwe, asserting, “ZANU PF has made it clear that power in Zimbabwe will not be transferred through the ballot. We need a democratic government in Zimbabwe. The ruling party has failed for the past 44 years.”
The release of the eight Gokwe residents on bail underscores ongoing tensions in Zimbabwe related to political governance and human rights. As the situation continues to evolve, the international community and local observers will be watching closely for further developments.
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