On Monday 2 September, the trial resumed at the Harare Magistrates Court with the second witness out of nine lined up by the State testifying. Detective Assistant Inspector Wilfred Chibage, testified as the second witness before Harare Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa after Mtetwa and her lawyer Harrison Nkomo finished cross examining Chief Superintendent Luckson Mukazhi. Chibage appeared to be damaging the State’s evidence which it relied upon to secure a conviction after he indicated that Mtetwa could not have interfered with the police search of outgoing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s research and communications office located in Avondale suburb as she was under arrest, handcuffed and detained in a police vehicle. On 26 September, Harare Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa adjourned the hearing to 4 October after State witnesses failed to turn up in court. On 23 October, the trial, which had seen the State leading all its witnesses, was postponed to allow for an inspection-in-loco at former Prime Minister and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s research and communications office located in Harare’s Avondale suburb, where State prosecutors claimed that Mtetwa hindered the police from carrying out their operations. On 24 October, the trial of Beatrice Mtetwa resumed at Harare Magistrates Court (Rottenrow) The trial was adjourned on 26 October when the State led by Tawanda Zvekare closed its case against Mtetwa, who described the charges as fabricated. On 16 March, ZLHR continued to be actively involved in following the referendum day events and providing related legal support services. On Saturday 16 March, ZLHR lawyers provided legal assistance to several people who were arrested and subsequently detained as they exercised or attempted to exercise their right to vote during the referendum: In Mashonaland West province, four MDC-T members including Nomatter Makwasha, Vincent Mpofu, and William Zvavahera were arrested in Kariba and detained at Mahombekombe police station on allegations of pasting “Vote YES” campaign posters close to a polling station. The police reportedly searched for George Masendu who was in connection with the same offence. In Harare, Makario Chinongwa, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association assistant advocacy officer and Tariro Mhende, the personal assistant to Director Okay Machisa, were arrested for allegedly taking pictures at a polling station at Eastridge Primary School. The two were taken to the Law and Order section at Harare Central police station. Chinongwa was detained while Mhende was released after she was forced to pay an admission of guilt fine to secure her release. Chipo Zuze of the Election Resource Centre was arrested and detained at Glen View South police station for allegedly asking to see the election results at a polling station. In Masvingo’s Rujeko suburb, Tapiwa Renias Winslow was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in a public place after he questioned the presence of some police officers in a polling station whilst he was attempting to cast his vote. Winslow, who was assaulted while in police detention, was detained at Masvingo Central police station. Crispen Masenda was also arrested in Masvingo on allegations of pasting campaign posters close to a polling station. Christopher Chirigise of Shamva in Mashonaland Central province was arrested at Mushambanyama, ward 20 and detained at Shamva police station for wearing a “Vote Yes” t-shirt inside his shirt. ZLHR member Ernest Jena was working towards Chirigise release. In Manicaland province, Samson Magumura, the MDC-T Headlands District Secretary, was arrested and detained at Nyazura police station. ZLHR member Leonard Chigadza had to wait to be granted access to his client. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum reported that in Mbare six members of the MDC were assaulted and injured by a mob of ZANU PF supporters when they were putting up posters calling for a ‘Yes’ referendum vote. 12