Zimbabwe betrayed
IT IS so sad that this month Zimbabwe turned 41 amid growing fear among citizens, repression, human rights abuses and closure of democratic space.
This should have been an occasion to celebrate, yet for many Zimbabweans April 18 was just like any other ordinary day as it symbolised a betrayal by the liberation
generation who, from liberators, have morphed into oppressors. To date, several-activists, including journalists have suffered the state’s heavy-handedness.
On January 8, 2021, prominent freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was arrested for the third time in six months on spurious charges by the Zimbabwe Republic Police ( ZRP) of publishing or communicating false statements.
The arrest was a reflection of the muzzling of free expression and continued harassment of media personnel by the state.
On March 1, 2021, police arrested three students — Richard Paradzayi, Paidamoyo Masaraure and Lean Kanengoni — on charges of unnecessary movement after they had attended court.
On March 5, 2021, opposition MDC Alliance activists Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri were arrested at the magistrates courts, where they had attended a case. They continue to languish in custody, on remand. KUdZai CHiKowore,
london Sw4.