By Own Correspondent

THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called our authorities over the ongoing arbitrary arrests of human right defenders which has reportedly spread throughout the country.

Zimbabwe has witnessed the arbitrary arrest and brutality on trade unionists and several activists, who have been accused of plotting protests against the government ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit scheduled for August 17. During the event, Mnangagwa is set to take over the rotational chairmanship of the regional bloc.

Among those arrested are trade unionist and ARTUZ President, Robson Chere, Jacob Ngarivhume, Namatai Kwekweza, and Samuel Gwenzi. Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Senator Jameson Timba and 78 others are languishing in remand prison following their arrest over a month ago for participating at a Day of the African Child commemoration held at a private residence in Harare’s Avondale suburb.

In a statement, the ZCTU secretary general ,Japhet Moyo the country’s leading federation was deeply riled by  the reports of on-going arbitrary arrests and alleged torture of human rights defenders ahead on the 44th SADC summit of heads of State.

“Reports also indicate that on Wednesday 31 July 2024, ARTUZ General Secretary Robson Chere and three others were ejected from their plane as they prepared to fly out via the Robert Mugabe International Airport.

“Chere was said to have been heavily tortured with gruesome photos circulating on social media. We call upon the state to prioritize the protection of citizens and demand timely and thorough investigations into the matter for justice to be meted out.

“The right to demonstrate is a fundamental right of every citizen. We are seriously concerned with the current trend of arrests of citizens as well as human rights defenders in the country and call upon security agencies to exercise restraint and tolerance,” he said.

Moyo begged authorities to accept the reality that even those who are arrested have a constitutional right to bail and must be brought before the courts in reasonable time as opposed to the current situation where people are arrested and spend months on end in detention without trial as completely unacceptable.

“The ZCTU strongly condemns these premeditated arrests that is meant to instil fear in the general public.  It is such behaviour which continues to tarnish the image of  Zimbabwe. We demand transparency on arrests.

“We demand an environment conducive for freedom of association and assembly where every Zimbabwean can discharge his or her duties without fear of being arrested, tortured or abducted,” he added.