Zimbabwe police charge activists for violating Covid-19 rules

Zimbabwean police on Tuesday charged three opposition activists with violating Covid-19 regulations, two weeks after they were reportedly abducted while in detention.

They were found by the road, 80 kilometres north of Harare, and have been in hospital since then.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said MP Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova from the opposition MDC Alliance have also been charged with “gathering with intent to promote public violence and breach of peace.”

“The charges come at a time when Mamombe, Chimbiri and Marova are receiving treatment following their abduction, disappearance and torture on May 13,” ZLHR said. “No arrests have been made to date for the enforced disappearance, torture, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment.”

Police say the activists were part of an illegal protest in the capital Harare on the day they disappeared. On that day, some residents took to the streets demonstrating against food shortage.

Two freelance journalists who tried to interview the activists have been charged with violating the coronavirus lockdown regulations.

Three more MDC Alliance activists were this week charged with organising protests against the government.

After withering criticism from western governments and local church leaders, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government said it was investigating the alleged abductions.

The government denied any responsibility and suggested a third force was behind the abductions of its critics.

Civil society groups say at least 50 activists have been abducted since last year and no one has been charged for the crimes.