Rights lawyer trial indefinitely postponed

HUMAN rights lawyer Kudzai Kadzere’s case, in which he is being accused of contravening section 46 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, was yesterday postponed indefinitely after State witnesses failed to turn up.

Kadzere was set to appear before a Mbare magistate for trial.

His lawyer Tinashe Chinopfukutwa from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said the police called for postponement of the case because the State witnesses were currently unavailable.

“The police called us this morning saying the court proceedings cannot proceed (because) police officers who were there at the scene (witnesses) have been transferred. They said once the witnesses are available the court case will commence,” Chinopfukutwa said.

On January 24, 2023, Kadzere was arrested when he went to represent 24 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters who had been arrested for allegedly illegally gathering at Budiriro legislator Costa Machingauta’s residence.

He was allegedly beaten up by the police, which resulted in him sustaining an injury on his hand.

But police last week said Kadzere got injured when he jumped off their moving vehicle following his arrest.

Meanwhile, police yesterday barred members of the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) from staging a demonstration in solidarity with Kadzere.

A riot police truck was deployed at the LSZ offices in central Harare where the march was expected to start from.

“We will defer the march and pursue further initiatives as well as consultations. Our secretariat continues to monitor the situation and pursue all initiatives for recommendation to council,” read the LSZ statement.

The LSZ said it had written to Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe and Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi requesting for engagement over Kadzere’s arrest.