The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has said it has launched a spirited campaign to effect the release of Epraim Mutombeni, the director of a local Non-Governmental Organisation – Masvingo Centre for Research, Advocacy and Development (MACRAD).
Mutombeni was arrested for insulting the first family after he allegedly told commuters who were queuing and waiting to board a ZUPCO bus that they were experiencing hardships because president Mnangagwa and his sons were stealing from the state.
ZLHR posted on Twitter saying:
In Masvingo, @ZLHRLawyers intensifies freedom bid for @EMutombeni by filing an appeal for his release on bail pending trial. Muthombeni was detained in prison last week after he was arrested by @PoliceZimbabwe & charged for allegedly insulting President Mnangagwa.
The Masvingo High Court will on Monday @9AM hear & make a determination on his bail appeal after Magistrate Ndlovu denied him bail. Muthombeni is represented by Martin Mureri of @ZLHRLawyers
Mutombeni has been a vocal critic around indigenous people’s land rights in Masvingo Zimbabwe and most recently has been campaigning against the impending forced evictions of the Shangaan people in Chilonga and Masivamele under Chiredzi District to pave way for lucerne grass farming project under Dendairy.
Macrad recently produced an inquiry report into the happenings around these evictions thereby generating interest from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
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