Crackdown on Activists in Zimbabwe

Three Zimbabwean activists, Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza, and Samuel Gwenzi, have been denied bail following their dramatic arrest last month after being forcibly removed from an airplane. The trio faces charges of disorderly conduct related to a protest outside a court in June, which was aimed at highlighting the arrests of numerous opposition supporters. The magistrate's decision to deny bail was influenced by concerns that the activists might abscond, commit further offenses, or incite public unrest, as reported by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR). The activists' legal representation has raised serious allegations regarding their treatment in custody, claiming they were held for hours without legal access and subjected to torture. During his initial court appearance, Chere, a teachers' union leader, appeared with bloodstained clothing and exhibited signs of physical distress. Kwekweza, a women's rights advocate, contends she was out of the country when the alleged incident occurred, while Gwenzi's lawyer reported threats made against his family during interrogations. Since mid-June, over 160 opposition politicians, activists, and union leaders have reportedly been arrested by Zimbabwean authorities, raising alarm among human rights organizations. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented evidence of torture and expressed concerns regarding the implications of these arrests for human rights under President Mnangagwa's leadership. In a joint statement, both organizations called on Southern African Development Community (Sadc) leaders to denounce these violations and advocate for the release of those detained.