The four pro-democracy activists who were arrested at the Robert Mugabe International Airport on Wednesday have been charged with disorderly conduct.
Namatai Kwekweza, Samuel Gwenzi, Robson Chere, and Vusumuzi Moyo were forcibly removed from a Victoria Falls-bound plane by state security agents.
They were meant to attend the 5th African Philanthropy Conference in the resort city.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) they “were held incommunicado detention for at least 8 hours. Robson was visibly tortured and in severe pain”.
“Police has now formally charged 4 pro-democracy campaigners with disorderly conduct in a public place as defined in section 41(b) of the Criminal Code. We have assisted them in the recording of warned and cautioned statements,” ZLHR said in an update on their X account.
On June 16th, 79 CCC youth activists were arrested at the private residence of party administrator Jameson Timba in Avondale, Harare. Their bail applications were denied, and they had been in detention for over 44 days.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) condemned the unjust and brutal treatment of the activists.
“The detention of these activists and the torture of our Secretary-General, Cde Robson Chere, is a blatant violation of their fundamental human rights. Torture is a heinous crime against humanity that is strictly prohibited under international law. It is abhorrent that the Zimbabwean government would resort to such barbaric and archaic tactics to suppress the legitimate democratic aspirations of its citizens, especially when the wounds from the 2018 tragedy are still healing,” said ARTUZ.
ARTUZ said this incident is particularly distressing as it serves as a painful reminder of the wounds that are still fresh from the tragic events of 1 August 2018, when the government’s violent crackdown on post-election protests resulted in the loss of lives and widespread condemnation.
The Teacher’s Union said those responsible for Chere’s torture be held accountable through independent and impartial investigations and that the activists must be released unconditionally.
“ARTUZ stands in solidarity with Cde Robson Chere and all pro-democracy activists in Zimbabwe who are courageously fighting for their rights. We will continue to magnify their voices and work tirelessly to ensure that justice and the rule of law prevail in our country so that the wounds of the past can finally heal.”
What is disorderly conduct?
In Zimbabwe, being charged with disorderly conduct charges typically means you are accused of disturbing public peace or causing alarm or annoyance.
The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act section 41 addresses criminal nuisance, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment depending on the offence’s severity and any aggravating circumstances.
