ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The seven activists attended a training organised by the Center for Non-Violence Action and Strategies (CANVAS) in the Maldives
from 15-17 May 2019. The focus of the workshop was civic engagement, advocacy and communications. Returning to Zimbabwe
on different dates, George Makoni, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Gamuchirai Mukura, Nyasha Mpahlo were arrested on arrival at
Harare Airport on 20 May, Farirai Gumbonzvanda was arrested on arrival the following day, while Stabile Dewa and Rita
Nyamupinga were arrested on arrival at Harare Airport on 27 May.
Five of the activists were granted bail on 7 June whilst the other two Sitabile and Rita got bail on 10 June. All activists were
released on bail of ZWL$1000 each and on condition that they report to the police station every day. The activists have since
appeared in court on 12 July, 19 July and 25 July. Their trial has not begun as the authorities are still collecting evidence. Their
lawyers are also pushing for the matter to be referred to the constitutional court, given the police arrested them pending
investigation. They are also seeking to challenge the deplorable conditions under which the activists were detained.
The crackdown against civil society, human rights defenders and activists and opposition leaders continues. An opposition
member of Parliament Job Sikhala was also arrested and charged with treason following his address at an MDC party supporters
rally in Bikita Masvingo on 6 July. He was arrested in Harare and on the day he was supposed to appear in court, the police
blindfolded him and transported him to Gutu without his lawyer’s knowledge. He was later set free on bail of ZWL$5000. MDC’s
Youth Assembly Secretary General Gift Ostallos Siziba was arrested and charged with incitement to commit public violence.
Tensions have been on the rise in the country over the economic hardships caused by poor economic policies and austerity
measures. In January, protests over the fuel hike resulted in the killing of 16 people by security forces and hundreds were arrested.
To date there has been no accountability. The arrest of the civil society activists and opposition leaders is an attempt by the
government to suppress any form of dissent or peaceful protest by Zimbabweans who have been hard hit by the government’s
economic policies. The government has also issued threats to the public over any planned protests. In response to an antigovernment protest held in London by Zimbabwean diaspora, against visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade relations, the
Government stated that the ‘sceptre of violence during protests we see in Zimbabwe forcing the security services to act has reared
its ugly head in foreign land…’ justifying intervention by security forces.
PREFERRED LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS TARGET: [English]
You can also write in your own language.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: [11 09 2019]
Please check with the Amnesty office in your country if you wish to send appeals after the deadline.
NAME AND PREFFERED PRONOUN: George Makoni (he/him), Tatenda Mombeyarara (he/him), Gamuchirai
Mukura (he/him), Nyasha Mpahlo (he/him), Farirai Gumbonzvanda (she/her), Sitabile Dewa (she/her) and Rita
Nyamupinga (she/her).
LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: [https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr46/0450/2019/en/]