The National Association of Non Governmental Organisations (NANGO) is greatly concerned with the recent negative developments in the form of the arrest and detention of salient Human Rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, who was arrested on Sunday 17 March 2013.
The Association is calling for the urgent release of Mtetwa who was arrested by the police for her alleged obstruction of the course of justice following her rendering of legal representation to Thabani Mpofu whose residence was also raided and searched on the same day of Mtetwa’s arrest.
Mtetwa appeared before the Harare Provincial Magistrate, Marehwanazvo Gofa yesterday has since been remanded into prison to 3 April 2013 following the dismissal of her bail application filed by her lawyer, Advocate Thabani Mpofu. NANGO alludes to these serial repeated random arrests as punctuation of the heightening levels of continued attacks on Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Organizations particularly Non Governmental Organisations.
NANGO demands government to end this escalating harassment and protect the basic human rights of all citizens in particular human rights activists and organisation especially during this very crucial moment in time when the country is anticipating a harmonized “free” and fair election. Whilst the political leadership of this country has made numerous utterances for peace and political tolerance in both print and electronic media, it is worrying to note that a lot of harassment and intolerance is being perpetrated not only by hooligans but also by the very law enforcement functionaries who are supposed to protect all citizens.
The Association urges government to respect fundamental human rights for all regardless of nationality and profession as we strive to work towards efforts for our collective social, political and economic development.
For more information and comments on this contact the NANGO Chairperson, Effort L. Ncube, on 0773 537 053
