Zim authorities set free Bulawayo agenda officials charged over POSA

via Zim authorities set free Bulawayo agenda officials charged over POSA | The Zimbabwean 30 June 2014 by ZLHR

ZIMBABWEAN authorities on Monday 30 June 2014 set free four officials from Bulawayo Agenda arrested over the weekend for contravening some provisions of the country’s tough security laws after the intervention of human rights lawyers.

Four Bulawayo Agenda officials namely, Mmeli Dube, Butholezwe Kgosi Nyathi, Nthombiyezansi Mabunda Tozana and Thulani Moyo endured two nights in police custody in Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North province after they were arrested on Saturday 28 June 2014 and charged with contravening section 25 (1) (beer) of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) for allegedly failing to notify the regulatory authority when they held a public meeting in the resort town.

But Dube, the Research, Information and Advocacy Officer, Nyathi, the Senior Programmes Officer, Tozana, the Community Organiser and Moyo were freed on Monday 30 June 2014 Victoria Falls by Magistrate Sheron Rosimani after their lawyer Thulani Nkala, a member of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights applied for their release on bail.

Dube, Nyathi and Tozana, who are all reside in Bulawayo were ordered to pay bail amounting to $100 while Moyo who is based in Victoria Falls paid $50. Magistrate Rosimani remanded the four Bulawayo Agenda officials to Thursday 31 July 2014. Prosecutor, Takunda Ndovori, of the National Prosecuting Authority represented the State.

ZLHR is concerned by the police’s obsession to continue curtailing citizens’ fundamental rights by abusing and using some provisions of POSA as the arrest of the Bulawayo Agenda officials contravenes Section 58 of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of assembly and association.

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