10 OCCUPY ACTIVIST APPEAR IN COURT
22 June 2016
10 of the Occupy movement activists appeared today at Harare Magistrate court for routine remand for their case in which they are being accused of obstructing the course of justice.The case was brought to court after the activists were rounded up on 9 June 2016 at Africa Unity Square where they were part of the # 16days of occupation campaign.
The drag net arrest was a follow up to the arrest of 5 other activists ( Patson Dzamara, Pride Mkono, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Makomborero Haruzivishe and Oliver Chikumba) who were charged with 2 counts of robbery and obstruction of justice as well.
Through their fire-brand human rights lawyer, Obey Shava of Mbizvo, Muchadehama and Makoni, the activists inquired on the status of the court order relating to their complaints against police.
The activists had raised a number of complaints including assault, illegal detention, denial for a breastfeeding mother to access her two month old infant as well as denial to medication.
Presiding magistrate Tendai Mahwe said there was no court order to the effect that the state should carry out investigations on the matter.
However Shava inquired if the court record did have the alleged complaints and the magistrate confirmed that indeed there were complaints raised on initial remand.
The magistrate then proceeded to order the state to carry out the investigations and file a report by the next remand date on 12 July 2016.
The activist who appeared before the court are Linda Masarira, Brian Kasunzuma, Rangariraiishe Nhende, Paidamoyo Muzulu, Mandowa Manezh, Webster Mahohoma, Shadreck Dhliwayo, Irvine Takavada, Pamela Mawire and William Chiu.
All the activists deny the charges as fabrications designed by the Central Intellingence Organisation operatives to thwart the protest.
Four of the activists are out on US$500.00 bail while the other six are out on US$200.00 bail.
Released by;
Occupy Movement of Zimbabwe Information Department
Wednesday, 22 June 2016
There is no functional 'government' in Zimbabwe, practically speaking. One day one Minister Dokora unlawfully scraps teachers' leave, the following day he bans Scripture Union, the next day he introduces the national pledge... while another Minister Bimha digs deep into the archives of the late Ian Smith's Rhodesian government's laws of 1974 (SI 64 of 2016) and bans importation of all basic goods causing mayhem at Beitbridge border post.
The Reserve Bank Governor, Mangudya, comes up with the controversial idea of bond notes while the Finance Minister Chinamasa
has no clue where the salaries of the civil servants will come from hence government decides to create a new calendar and pay the civil servants on the "40th and 55th" of the month. A superfluous Vice President, one Mphoko, stays in a five star hotel for two years at a time when civil servants are struggling to put three square meals on the table.
The President makes endless international flights which yield no returns to the country, instead draining the national fiscus. Ministers are caught up in shady deals and build castles and palaces but go on to destroy houses built by the hard working and suffering citizens, amidst a housing crisis. The people who are supposed to lead the government got lost long ago and do not have any idea of where the country is by now.
The leadership is not in touch with reality. Meanwhile, a rabidly brutal and undisciplined uniformed force is brutalizing peaceful activists trying to rescue our common future. Drastic action is needed to shake them from their hallucinations and send a message that they can no longer abuse the people of this nation, and indeed there is a long list of consequences they will face. # strugglecontinues aluta a continua
#5to6 UPDATE
After experiencing police's brutality last night soon after rounding up our #5to6 session we wish to inform the public that we have begun a legal process seeking for a court interdict baring the police from interfering with our constitutional gatherings.
It is with that in mind that we are not meeting tonight. As soon as the legal process is finalised, we shall inform you on the way forward. Thank you all for the support.
Aluta Continua...
After experiencing police's brutality last night soon after rounding up our #5to6 session we wish to inform the public that we have begun a legal process seeking for a court interdict baring the police from interfering with our constitutional gatherings.
It is with that in mind that we are not meeting tonight. As soon as the legal process is finalised, we shall inform you on the way forward. Thank you all for the support.
Aluta Continua...
Perennial wisdom dictates that when one is in a deep hole it is wise to stop digging. That wisdom is always ignored by our rulers in the Zimbabwe government. Like the Japanese Second world war Kamikaze pilots they are hell-bent on destroying the country once for all. How else does one describe the obvious suicidal policies being implemented? Either this ship no longer has a Captain in charge or there is now a scorched earth policy in place. How do you ban the importation of almost all goods that are making life bearable for those who survive on vending and importing goods? And that is the majority of our people. The lessons of 2006- 2009 have not been fully learnt by this government. Empty shelves and mass starvation will awaken them from their deep slumber.
Wednesday, 15 June 2016
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Friday, 10 June 2016
PRESS STATEMENTS FROM CIVIC SOCIETY
HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE | ZIMRIGHTS
June 10, 2016.
The right thing is the human rights thing!
Find Us: 
ISSUE | Court sets US$ 1000 bail each for Africa Unity Square activists
Some of the occupants, including some of the arrest and detained
Harare – The Harare Magistrates’ Court in a jaw-dropping development has set the bail for five human rights activists currently detained by the government a US $ 1000 bail each for charges emanating from their #16DayOccupation of Africa Unity Square.
Patson Dzamara – brother to abducted activist, Itai Dzamara – Makomborero Haruzivishe, the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) Secretary General, former student leader and activist Pride Mkono, pro-democracy activist, Oliver Chikumba, and Anti-Privatisation Forum activist, Tatenda Mombeyerara, appeared at the Magistrates Court today, June 10, 2016.
This follows the summary arrest of 15 activists, who have been spending their days and nights since May 31, 2016 at Africa Unity Square opposite Parliament in Harare protesting rampant human rights abuses and economic mismanagement by President Robert Mugabe’s 36 year-old government.
Meanwhile, female activists who were also arrested at the Square in central Harare, did not appear in court today with hopes that they will be brought to court tomorrow.
OUR POSITION: ZimRights National Director, Okay Machisa, expressed regret and disappointment at the way the government has handled the peaceful protest.
“It is unfortunate that the government is willingly returning the country to a very bad and soiled human rights record,” said Machisa.
“It trivialises the slight progress that was now being made towards respecting fundamental and constitutional rights if the authorities wilfully lead in the violation of the human rights of peaceful protestors.
“The constitutional rights of citizens to peacefully demonstrate and assemble are set out in Sections 58 and 59 of the Constitution. It is solemnly regrettable that the government has certainly chosen to ignore this.
“As civil society, we think that is logical that when the government fails in its responsibility to protect its citizens and becomes the chief violator, the international community has scope to aid by giving collective insurance to the human rights and dignity of citizens of Zimbabwe. So we urge human rights organisations within and outside the country to also bring their voices and influence to bear on the Zimbabwean government.”
On the night of June 8, 2016, just before midnight, a suspected police trap was set up to allegedly concoct theft and robbery charges against the male activists, reportedly using a script that could leave even renowned Hollywood movie directors envious of the said fabrication.
Meanwhile, the founder of the Occupy Africa Unity Square movement, Itai Dzamara remains unaccounted for 15 months on.
Find Us: 
Contacts:
National Chairperson, Passmore Nyakureba 0772 339 159 email: pnyakureba@
National Director, Okay Machisa: 0772 135 882 email: omachisa@zimrights.co.
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RESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release;
June 09, 2016.
ISSUE| Government must top harassment of Africa Unity Square protesters!!
Harare – The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) reminds the Government of Zimbabwe to respect and safeguard the right of citizens to peacefully protest, after thugs recently beat activists in the past days, and police arrested some activists last night at Africa Unity Square.
The activists, who include women activists, student activists, activists for the rights of people living with disabilities, journalists and social justice activists have been spending the days and nights at the Square since May 31 to fulfil a #16DayOccupation symbolism against bad governance.
The cases of open harassment at the Square adjacent the Zimbabwe Parliament have happened severally since the occupation protest started. This is a clear violation of the protesters’ freedom to peacefully demonstrate and assemble as set out in Sections 58 and 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
A first hand assessment by ZimRights of the activist’s injuries this week showed that a freelance journalist, James Jemwa, had suffered a bloodshot right eye, and cut his lip.
Importantly and equally outrageously, today June 9, 2016 marks 15 months after the abduction of the founder of the Occupy Africa Unity Square leader, Itai Dzamara, by suspected state security agents at a barbershop in his neighbourhood, and he remains not heard from or seen with the police too lackadaisical with the investigations.
ZimRights notes with concern that the police by arresting some of the activists has once more acted unconstitutionally and intervened against the fundamental rights of the protesters in the Square, in the same way they beat up Itai until he passed out and broke his lawyer, Kennedy Masiye’s arm in incidences in October and November 2014.
The police must immediately release the arrested activists and stop interfering with their constitutional rights, but honour their duty to protect the activists from thugs that the police must arrest.
It is unfortunate that the growing trend in the country is that government through the security institutions is responding to citizens’ lawful dissent such as demonstrations, sit-ins, and petitions through harassment. This is amply shown by the two-year history of the Occupy Africa Unity Square group and the official treatment of its activists, including Itai Dzamara.
For further inquiries contact:
National Chairperson, Passmore Nyakureba 0772 339 159 email: pnyakureba@
National Director, Okay Machisa: 0772 135 882 email: omachisa@zimrights.co.
Crisis Info
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition (CIZC) calls upon the country’s security services to uphold
the Constitution and desist from violating people’s fundamental rights and
freedoms through serving partisan political interests.
Revelations
during a court hearing for five activists today June 10, 2016 are a genuine
cause for concern.
The
five activists, Pride Mkono, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Makomborero Haruzivishe,
Oliver Chikumba and Partson Dzamara were arrested on trumped up charges of
attempted robbery and resisting arrest on June 8, 2016.
They
were arrested in Africa Unity Square where they were gathered as part of a 16
day campaign against misrule by the ruling Zanu (PF) party.
CIZC
is concerned over the partisan conduct exhibited by the police force since the
activists began their 16 day campaign on May 31, 2016.
It
came out during today’s court hearing that before the arrest of the activists,
there had been a foiled attempt to abduct them. The abductees were led by an
identified officer from the police Law and Order Section.
As
CIZC we are deeply concerned about law enforcement agents being deployed to
institute a series of arbitrary arrests and abductions of citizens who are
merely exercising their constitutional right to protest as outlined under
Section 59 of the country’s Constitution.
As
discontent continues togrow among ordinary Zimbabweans over Zanu (PF’s)
misrule, CIZC is concerned that the political party has turned to manipulation
of the security services to safeguard their stay in power.
To
us, the stance taken by Zanu (PF) is responsible for the upsurge in cases of
violation of people’s constitutional rights by law enforcement agents who are
supposed to be custodians of the law and we fear for the worst as the country
goes towards the 2018 elections.
Partisan
conduct by the security services has been and continues to be responsible for
arbitrary arrests of perceived and known opposition supporters as well as
torture and murder of Zanu (PF) opponents hence Zanu (PF’s) determination to
stay in power leaves us in great fear of an upsurge in human rights violations.
Section
208 (2) of thecountry’s Constitution is clear that members of the security
services must not act in a partisan manner, further the interests of any
political party orcause, prejudice the lawful interests of any political party
or cause or violate the fundamental rights or freedoms of any person yet the
security services have turned out to be the biggest violators of human rights
as they seek to protect Zanu (PF’s) continued stay in power.
The
2008 political violence that claimed the lives of about 200 MDC-T supporters
was perpetrated by the security services as well and with Zanu (PF) in a panic
mood, our suspicion is high the revolutionary party will employ its dirty
tactics again.
In
light of this, CIZC shall continue with its lobby and advocacy campaigns to
ensure respect for people’s fundamental rights and freedoms as well as
upholding of the country’s supreme law.
ENDS//
Press
Statement
06
/10/2016
State
Security intensifies operations to thwart Unity Square Occupants
….as five of the 15 Activists arrested
get a shocking $1000
Today the arrested 5 “16 Day Occupy Africa
Unity Square Activists” arrested were granted a shocking $1000 bail each
and remanded in custody on cooked up charges of robbery and obstructing
the cause of justice . The occupants view $1000 bail condition as another away
of tactically silencing the voice dissent.
The other 10 are still detained at Harare police
station and up to now no substantial charges have been played against them
which are a clear signs that this only a desperate ploy to destabilize the
protest.
We would want to make it clear that from the onset of the occupation
the state security agents have been openly making moves to stop the occupants
from continuing.
The occupants will never be stopped or be deterred
by these intimidators moves until demands are met even after the sixteen days
lapse, Zimbabweans are tired of being treated as stooges in their country while
only a few political elites plunder the country`s resources at the expenses of
the suffering of the masses.
The following is a
statement produced chronicling events that led to the arrest:
Security alert from the square
Posted: Yesterday
at 1:46am
At exactly 23:30h 3 ZRP officers tried to
disperse us and we told them they had no constitutional right to disperse us.
After 20minutes of heated argument with the police officers they walked away.
At exactly midnight two women showed up walking towards us from the CNR third
and Jason Moyo Avenue. As they approached us I noticed that they were wearing
the same hats black and white striped hats, carrying tshangani bags. They passed us and stopped 10m away and inquired
where 4th street was purporting to have disembarked a combi from Murehwa. I told them to go where they were going as we
were aware of their intentions.
As they got to the fountain in the center
of the park instead of going the direction we had told them they crossed with
two other guys, I alerted the guys that something sinister was happening,
Tatenda Mombeyarara noticed that there were men standing behind the toilets.
The two women came back running screaming mbavha
mbavha! (thieves’ thieves). We just
watched them as they ran past us. Instead of going straight to Jason Moyo they
cut across the park into the dark and we saw the three policemen jumping from
the hedge.
The women accused Patson
Dzamara and Makomborero Haruzivishe as the men who followed them and took their
filthy, torn tshangani bags. As they were running, one of the two women dropped
her bag where we were seated and the other one dropped it in the park.
When the police got to us they just
picked up Mako and Patson. Four male protesters tried to reason with police and
they didn't listen. Makomborero was beaten up here in the square and a white
Santana emerged from the blue and the accused and the witnesses refused to
embark in the car. They walked to Harare Central Police Station where Patson
and Makomborero are detained. Brian Kansuzuma stood his ground fighting for
justice. Special thanks to Takavingwa Komboni and Dirk Frey who swiftly
responded in coming to strengthen security after our male counterparts had been
arrested.
This whose drama was stage managed and is
a mockery to our intelligence. The dirty, torn and smelly bags made out of sack
are still in the square. Why did the police leave the evidence? Brian Kansuzuma
has made his way back to the square and informed us that they handcuffed Mako
and Patson and along the way they were tightening and pulling the handcuffs
digging into their flesh. Price Mukono was beaten with one police officers
elbow and fell down.
Ten minutes after the incident, two
police officers came pretending not to know what transpired claiming they had
received a call from Harare central police station. We narrated the whole
incidence to them and ironically they left the bags as well.
We are not stupid. We will not be abused.
We are sick and tired of a partisan police force that serves the interest of
ZANU PF. These stage managed shows show that this government has ran out of
ideas. Zimbabwe is our country and we will fight viciously for the rule of law
to be restored.
“United in our diversity for the restoration of Zimbabwe”
Linda T. Masarira
Occupation Spokesperson
Occupation Spokesperson
The occupants of the African Unity Square who have
spent the last chilling 10 nights camping at the park protesting against the government
of Zimbabwe on several issues and demands note with concern efforts by State
Security Agents to unconstitutionally demoralize , destabilize and stop the protesters from completing the 16 days of Occupying the Africa Unity Square.
The occupants are well aware of the ploy by the
state security agents to stop the occupation through
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