via The state vs Beatrice Mtetwa – again | Mail & Guardian 09 MAY 2014 by Farai Shoko
Zim human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa will oppose the state’s decision to appeal against her acquittal on charges of allegedly obstructing justice.
Prominent human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa says she will oppose the state’s decision to appeal against her acquittal on charges of allegedly obstructing justice.
Mtetwa, whose arrest in March last year drew international condemnation, was charged with contravening the Criminal Law Act after an altercation with police who were searching the home of a Movement for Democratic Change official, one of Mtetwa’s clients. Mtetwa was acquitted by Harare provincial magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa in November.
Mugwagwa said that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had no case against Mtetwa.
But prosecutor-general Johannes Tomana, who heads the NPA, has filed an application in the high court, seeking leave to appeal the acquittal.
Allegations of shouting at police
In the application, Tozivepi Mapfuwa of the NPA, representing Tomana, argued that Mugwagwa “misdirected” herself when she granted the application, because the state had given evidence that Mtetwa had disturbed the police in execution of their duties.
The state alleges that Mtetwa had shouted at police officers: “Stop whatever you are doing, it’s unconstitutional, illegal and undemocratic.”
It was claimed she called the police “confused cockroaches” and told them, “Murimbwa dzaMugabe [you are Mugabe’s dogs]”, which the state says was meant to hinder the officers.
The state says the evidence of the three state witnesses, Luckson Mukwazhi, Wilfred Chibage and Ngatirwe Mamiza – all police officers – materially corroborated each other on the fact that Mtetwa closed the gate at the Westgate residence to prevent Chibage from leaving the premises with some evidence.
Mtetwa said: “I am obviously opposing the application. They are targeting a number of us as they are also challenging [deputy chief justice Luke] Malaba’s refusal to give them leave to appeal against his discharge a few years ago.”
She said her opposing papers would be lodged by Friday.
“This is selective application of the law, where the NPA will vigorously pursue human rights offenders but vigorously resist prosecuting criminals who wield political power and connections,” Mtetwa said.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said the legal campaign against Mtetwa confirms that prosecutorial authorities remain unprofessional and biased against human rights lawyers.
COMMENTS
Oh how annoying these small boys must find this woman who does not fear them and shows the world how ignorant they are. Confused cockroaches is a perfect summation of Chihuri and his crew. How can you charge somebody for telling the truth? Ridiculous.
Beatrice for President!
Why not Beatrice, we have a cruel,Malawian at the moment.
Wish organisations like Amensty International will have a say they way they are treating her- they should be backing her and assisting her
I say more kudos for Mtetwa. Chihuri and Tomana must really be feeling some anatomical deficiency and this lady is to blame.
Talk about less intelligent men battering an obviously more intelligent female.
Charge Tomana with negligence for abusing taxpayers hard-earned dollars in this pathetic attempt to get even! Small d..ks indeed.
And he is refusing to grant a private prosecution licence in the telecel/jane mutasa case .
Beatrice Mtetwa – a heroine of Zimbabwe’s struggle for justice and freedom.
I understand that these men must feel very small compared to zimbabwe s special girl.u see they will never win intntionl awards like she has done.they feel dwarfed bcoz all they v won are sancions.they are jealous so they have to waste state time n resources on personal trivialities while ignoring the real issues.there has been lootihg of state n private resouces in this countr n even murder of people but u turn a blind eye.can u blame the people if they see u as foolish men.
Beatrice fo president 2018:am sure she has more brains than all these men put together
Beatrice would be on my list as one of the leaders for Zimbabwe
“the NPA will vigorously pursue human rights offenders but vigorously resist prosecuting criminals who wield political power and connections”
I assume Beatrice meant or said that the NPA will vigorously pursue human rights DEFENDERS.
Tisungireiwo vanhu vairova vanhu nekuuraya vanhu pa June 2008 rerun.
Ndatenda hangu