Written by Lovemore Kumusha
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) Southern Africa Chapter has condemned the arrest of investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume in Zimbabwe over allegations of inciting public violence.
The two appeared in court yesterday, but were remanded in custody to today, pending their bail ruling.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Watch, Southern Africa Director, Dewa Mavhinga, says the two were arrested on ‘spurious allegations’ and should be released immediately.
“The Zimbabwean authorities should not be arresting anti-corruption activists. Instead it should be taking sincere and genuine steps to end corruption.
“At the same time, calling for peaceful protests is not a crime. Journalism is not a crime. Section fifty-nine protects the right of everyone in Zimbabwe to peacefully protest. This must be respected,” he said.
He added that as a result, his organization therefore calls on the Zimbabwean authorities to unconditionally release Chin’ono and Ngarivhume.
He urged the state to drop what he termed ‘the politically motivated charges’ and begin to show that, indeed, the country is serious about zero tolerance to corruption.
Mavhinga said the arrests undermine confidence in Zimbabwe’s commitment to the rule of law and human rights.
In the same light, a number of embassies and diplomatic missions in the country have roundly condemned the arrests.
Apparently, Chin’ono has been investigating and exposing corruption involving senior government officials and those with connections to the highest offices in the land. This recently saw him being threatened by a senior ruling party and government official.
As a result of Chin’ono’s investigation, Health Minister Obadiah Moyo was arrested in June and subsequently fired for allegedly awarding contracts for test kits and pandemic-related protective gear at inflated costs.
Since then, Chin’ono has been fearing for his life after ruling ZANU-PF party spokesman Patrick Chinamasa accused the journalist of seeking to embarrass President Emmerson Mnangagwa by linking the president’s family to the contracts.
Chinamasa threatened Chin’ono with unspecified action.
On the other hand, Ngarivhume was charged for addressing a press conference inciting people to participate in a demonstration on 31 July demonstration despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chin’ono is being represented in court by Beatrice Mutetwa, she told the court that her client is a perfect candidate for bail, but the state was opposed to the granting of bail to the two.
The State told the court that if granted bail, Ngarivhume and Chin’ono were likely to abscond or destroy evidence, arguing that Chin’ono had tried to delete his Twitter handle, which he allegedly used to incite public violence
Wfriter Lovemore Kumusha can be contacted email: lubindalovemore1@gmail.com.