“I may add on a general note that protests and mass demonstrations remain one of the most vivid ways of the public coming together to express an opinion in support of or in opposition to a position. Long after the demonstrations, and long after the faces of the demonstrators are forgotten, the messages and the purposes of the demonstrations remain as a reminder of public outrage at, or condemnation or support of an issue or policy. Demonstrations have thus become an acceptable platform of public engagement and a medium of communication on issues of a public nature in open societies based on justice and freedom”. - Justice Rita Makarau in Democratic Assembly for Restoration and Empowerment & 3 Ors v Saunyama N.O & 3 Ors CCZ 9-2018, page 8. Specific Cases Ÿ In January, ZLHR deployed lawyers to offer emergency legal support services to prodemocracy campaigner Tonderai Dombo, who was arrested by ZRP in Harare’s Mabvuku suburb for allegedly protesting against exorbitant fees hike at Mabvuku High School. Ÿ On 26 February, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse dozens of National University of Science and Technology students protesting continued strikes by lecturers. Police dogs injured 8 students, while police arrested 61 students. 15 students sought medical treatment after the incident. The students were charged with criminal nuisance or disorderly conduct as defined in the Criminal Code. Ÿ In Chivhu the Chivhu Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (CHRRA) had through their chairperson Collen Zvarevashe on 22 February notified the ZRP of their intention to hold a protest march demanding the expulsion and arrest of some corrupt officials at Chikomba Rural District Council. The ZRP turned down their request on 5 March on the basis that there was a threat that the residents’ protest would result in serious disruption of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The police only reversed their decision after an urgent chamber application had been filed in the High Court on 5 March challenging the ZRP’s refusal to sanction the demonstration. Ÿ In Hwange on 9 March, 8 spouses of Hwange Colliery Company employees were charged with criminal trespass as defined in Section 132 of the Criminal Code for allegedly staging a protest since January over the non-payment of outstanding salaries for their husbands, who worked for the coal miner. Ÿ In Chivi, Masvingo, three Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) students were arrested and charged with public violence for allegedly participating in a protest against the hiking of tuition fees at the university. The three students Hererimo Giya, Eutychus Mahwekwe and Tinotenda Kumire were accused of barricading some roads at GZU campus and throwing stones at some ZRP officers and at the university buildings and damaged property including chairs. Magistrate Chineka grantee them bail and imposed stringent bail conditions, including that the students were to be accompanied by some ZRP officers each time they visited GZU campus to write their end of semester examinations. Ÿ In May the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Student Disciplinary Committee acquitted student Kudakwashe Guta who was charged with misconduct in connection with a demonstration held at the institution on 26 June 2017 led by some medical students, who protested against the arbitrary hiking of fees. Prior to the UZ Student Disciplinary Hearing, the student had been 32 STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ZIMBABWE 2018