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The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC), which is a coalition of local civil society organisations, has written to Angolan president João Lourenço, who is the current Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) chairperson, seeking the regional body’s intervention “return” Zimbabwe “to majority rule”.
In a letter seen by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200017188/csos-turn-to-sadc-over-zim-polls">NewsDay</a>, dated 18 September 2023, CiZC chairperson Peter Mutasa appealed to Lourenço that SADC considers the election observer mission reports issued by various bodies critical of how the 2023 Zimbabwe Harmonised Elections were conducted. The letter read in part:
<blockquote>
Sadly, as expressed by the various election observer mission reports including the SADC Elections Observer Mission (SEOM), the Zimbabwe Election Support Network and the African Union-COMESA Joint EOM (AU), the elections in Zimbabwe were not free, fair or credible.
In light of that, Your Excellency, we humbly request that your office diplomatically engage Harare to assist this country in returning to majority rule.
The current electoral coup is not good for Zimbabwe, the SADC and the African Union.
</blockquote>
Most of the election observer missions, including SEOM, reported that the elections did not meet regional and international standards for the holding of free, fair and credible polls.
Mutasa described President Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU PF’s win as an “electoral coup”. He wrote:
<blockquote>
The SADC that you lead faces the task of pre-empting and hence stopping the scourge of military coups, by averting and stopping “electoral coups” in southern Africa.
Zimbabwe must be assisted by the region to cure the bane of contested elections and governmental legitimacy which is stalling her economic recovery and sustainable growth.
As a way ahead, Mr. President, we kindly ask your esteemed office to cause a SADC extraordinary summit to meet and receive reports from all parties including our present government and us, civil society.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) rejected the election outcome and has been engaging SADC leaders to intervene and call for a fresh election.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Approaches SADC Chairman Over Disputed August Elections

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has accused the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) of being captured by the State following the suspension of Obert Masaraure, the president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ).
Masaraure was suspended recently for alleged misconduct and is also accused of leaking information from ZCTU deliberations of a 27 April 2023 meeting.
In a statement, CiZC said a small clique in the ZCTU leadership has been captured by the State as part of the post-coup government’s project to establish a one-party dictatorship. It said:
<blockquote>
The manoeuvres to capture the labour movement follow a similar pattern to what we have seen with the main opposition political party post-2017.
Indeed, it is no mistake and clearly, part of the broader scheme of the second republic under President Emmerson Mnangagwa to re-establish the one-party State project.
By allowing itself to be used in the second republic’s one-party State project, this small clique in the ZCTU leadership must be reminded that it will never have its cake and eat it.
And, indeed, the affiliate unions of the ZCTU have already shown that they will not take the victimisation of labour leaders lying down.
</blockquote>
According to a report by <a href="https://thenewshawks.com/zctu-leaders-meet-president-amid-labour-capture-criticism/">The NewsHawks,</a> ZCTU has been accused by its affiliates of betraying the workers’ cause and hobnobbing with State officials.
During a trip to Geneva last month for an International Labour Organisation (ILO) meeting, ZCTU president Florence Taruvinga, and secretary-general Japhet Moyo flew out of Zimbabwe together with the government delegation led by Labour Minister Paul Mavima.
Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions secretary-general Kennias Shamuyarira was also in the delegation.
The ZCTU leaders flew business class and the trip was funded by the Zimbabwean government, raising speculation that Taruvinga and Moyo could have been compromised.
They informed ILO that Zimbabwe no longer had a bad human rights record, resulting in Zimbabwe being struck off the list of 24 countries with a terrible human rights and labour injustice record.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZCTU Has Been Captured By The State, Says Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has condemned the government’s decision to de-register 291 private voluntary organisations (PVOs).
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima said the PVOs were deregistered for different reasons but mainly because of their failure to submit audited financial statements.
CiZC spokesperson Obert Masaraure said the development will result in job losses and this will have a negative impact on livelihoods. Masaraure said:
<blockquote>
This is quite an unfortunate development that will negatively impact the lives of ordinary citizens; especially given the fact that most of these organisations are working in the field of social welfare.
We also have to be alive of the negative economic impacts of this move and the fact that jobs will be lost, and again this will impact negatively on livelihoods.
Government should consider the welfare of the suffering masses before implementing decisions that impact on people’s welfare.
We would also like to highlight the fact that the push to amend the PVOs Act is a sure sign that the government is determined to close down operating space for civil society organisations.
Government is keen to instill fear into civil society organisations that are undertaking their genuine role of holding the government to account.
We implore the government to respect the work of civil society organisations and to recognise their huge contribution to the strengthening of democracy, good governance and economic prosperity.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum executive director Musa Kika urged civil society organisations (CSOs) to comply with the requirements of the law to avoid being de-registered. He said:
<blockquote>
Information gathered by NANGO regarding the motivation and reasons for deregistration is mainly failure to comply with the PVO Act (17:05) Section 5(e), which requires PVOs to submit annual returns (audited financial reports and annual narrative reports) of which failure to submit these for three consecutive years may result in your certificate being terminated.
We urge all our members not to panic. However, we encourage all PVOs to submit their returns annually as a compliance requirement in order to avoid any risk of being deregistered.
</blockquote>
The de-registered organisations were ordered to surrender their certificates of operation to the government. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200006534/outrage-as-govt-deregisters-291-pvos">NewsDay</a>

Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition Denounces Govt's Decision To De-register 291 PVOs

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has called for credible electoral processes, including the delimitation of electoral boundaries, to ensure that the 2023 elections are free and fair.
Speaking during an election resource centre-hosted delimitation meeting in Harare on Saturday, CiZC spokesperson Obert Masaure claimed that the upcoming elections have already been rigged in favour of ZANU PF. He said:
<blockquote>
Are we going to sheepishly submit ourselves to an election when we know that these are flawed processes?
People are going to say no let’s rationalise and allow this process to go. Allow an election that has already been rigged?
We all know that everything is pointing toward rigging the elections. We have a State media which remains biased and a military factor as well.
Why are we participating? Are we doing it in the sense that we want development and democracy in Zimbabwe?
If we want democracy we have to say enough is enough and get to a point where citizens say away with this delimitation process.
We will go to an election when the voters roll and the State media is accessible to all players and when the military is no longer part of our politics.
These reforms are serious and must be done. We, therefore, submit that Zimbabwe isn’t ready for elections and we urge those who want to participate in the process to call for credible electoral processes.
</blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) also alleged, in its January 13, 2022 review paper titled: Zec Delimitation Report: Electoral Rigmarole and Elite Discohesion accused the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of gerrymandering to benefit ZANU PF.
Gerrymandering is the manipulation of the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favour one party. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200006219/elections-already-rigged-csos">NewsDay</a>

2023 Elections Already Rigged - CiZC

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has criticised the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for allegedly doing nothing to stop suspected ZANU activists from disrupting a CCC Press conference in Harare on Tuesday.
There was heavy police presence outside the Media Centre in Harare where CCC was scheduled to address a press conference.
However, suspected ZANU PF members stormed into the conference room and allegedly stole CCC banners just before the press conference started and forced some CCC officials to escape through a back exit.
In a statement, CiZC accused police officers of ignoring the violence that was unfolding before them. Read the statement:
<blockquote>
While [police officers] patrolled the entrance to Media Centre, where [CCC] was due to hold a press conference, suspected [ZANU PF] youths stormed the venue and violently kicked out the CCC officials who were yet to start their press conference.
What is clear is that [police officers] stood by and decided to pay a blind eye to the unfolding violence, a situation that unfortunately points to partisanship by the police. Police have not arrested [ZANU PF] members implicated in violence.
According to the Constitution, the police service is supposed to act in an impartial manner and in line with the dictates of the Zimbabwe Constitution.
The latest incident is not isolated. The State has continued to abuse state security agents and the judiciary for political purposes.
We implore the police to bring the perpetrators of today’s violent incident to account.
</blockquote>
CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said the party will not be pushed into violent confrontations with ZANU PF. She tweeted:
<blockquote>
We only know peace. We won’t be sucked into a game of violence. We make no apologies for choosing non-violent resistance over Stone Age barbarism. But we will never be silenced.
You can steal our banners but you can never steal our voice.
</blockquote>

Police Accused Of Failing To Prevent Suspected ZANU PF Activists From Disrupting CCC Event

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has demanded the implementation of the recommendations made by the Motlanthe Commission which was established to investigate the 1 August 2018 killings.
Six civilians were shot dead by soldiers in central Harare during protests over delays in announcing presidential election results.
Thirty-five others were wounded in the shootings, forcing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to appoint a commission headed by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, to probe the killings.
The Motlanthe Commission, recommended, among other things, compensation to families of the deceased as well as prosecution of the killers.
In a letter dated October 18, 2022, addressed to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi, CiZC chairperson Peter Mutasa said:
<blockquote>
We address you in your capacity as the chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce which was tasked with addressing issues arising from the findings of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry report.
We write to your esteemed office expressing our reservations over the failure of the Government of Zimbabwe to implement recommendations of the seven-member Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry following the events of August 1, 2018, that resulted in the death of six civilians at the hands of the army following protests over the late announcement of Presidential election results in Harare.
</blockquote>
Mutasa raised the issue of security sector reforms which he said should be addressed. He said:
<blockquote>
So far, the Government of Zimbabwe has not instituted security sector reforms to ensure that the military acts within the provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and in conformity with human rights norms and standards.
The State is still to implement Section 210 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe that provides for an Independent Complaints Mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from the members of the public about misconduct on the part of members of the security services, and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct.
The Independent Complaints Mechanism is a crucial body in light of the increasing cases of human rights abuses linked to security.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200002379/2018-army-shootings-ziyambi-under-fire">NewsDay</a>

CiZC Demands Implementation Of Motlanthe Commission Recommendations

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on Friday barred the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiCZ) from marching against an alleged increase in human rights violations in the country.
The CiCZ had planned to march from the Harare Gardens to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and Parliament building on Friday (yesterday) to deliver a petition against the erosion of human rights.
However, in a letter dated 18 July, the officer commanding Harare central district Chief Superintendent G Moyo said the march had not been approved.
Chief Superintendent Moyo said CiCZ “did not comply with section 7 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act Chapter 11: 23.
CiCZ chairperson Peter Mutasa told NewsDay that they have since approached the courts challenging the ban.
A ruling on their appeal is expected this Saturday.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/07/police-block-ngo-demo/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Police Block Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition March

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has demanded that President Emmerson Mnangagwa ends what it calls colonial-era methods of governing the country.
CiZC accuses the government of weaponising the law (lawfare) to persecute critics.
This follows the arrest of CiZC spokesperson Obert Masaraure who is also Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president and secretary-general Robson Chere. CiZC said:
<blockquote>
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition calls on Mnangagwa’s government to end the colonial era methods of using the law enforcement and justice systems to mutilate the constitution of Zimbabwe by arresting and prosecuting those who justifiably speak out against his misgovernance.
Only this week police arrested CiZC spokesperson Obert Masaraure who is also Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president and secretary-general Robson Chere.
Masaraure, who was arrested on Friday, is being charged with inciting public violence and defeating the course of justice hardly a week after he was released on bail on a murder charge emanating from a 2016 death that was ruled by the High Court as a suicide.
Police arrested Chere on the same murder charge and a day after, suspected state security agents raided ARTUZ offices and went on to ransack Masaraure’s home in Harare.
</blockquote>
CiCZ added that this chain of events is not coincidental but a broader government strategy to clamp down on civil society organisations that speak out against corruption, misgovernance and human rights violations.
<h4>More: <a href="https://thestandard.newsday.co.zw/2022/07/10/mnangagwa-under-fire-over-crackdown/">The Standard</a></h4>

Mnangagwa Accused Of Using Colonial Era Tactics To Stifle Opposition

Civil Society organisations have criticised Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Larry Mavima for saying non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the country should go and render their services in Ukraine.
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe that has been under constant shelling and heavy bombardment from nuclear-armed Russia since 24 February this year.
Speaking during a devolution meeting in Gweru at the weekend, Mavima said local authorities should de-register NGOs that fail to comply with restrictions on their activities.
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (The Forum) director Musa Kika said that the Government needs NGOs to operate successfully. He said:
<blockquote>
The government is being short-sighted and is choosing perceived political expediency over livelihoods, economic well-being, strengthened governance and all that civil society represents.
We have no precedent anywhere in the world where the government operates successfully without civil society, bearing in mind that civil society is the people, citizens self-organising over issues of community and national importance.
There is no sustainability in what the government is doing, so the comments attributed to the minister (Mavima) are unfortunate.
</blockquote>
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) spokesperson Obert Masaraure said it is unfortunate that Zimbabwe has “misguided” people like Larry Mavima in leadership positions. Said Masaraure:
<blockquote>
I think Mavima is highly misguided. It’s unfortunate that Zimbabwe has such people as leaders who say a country doesn’t need NGOs; a country with more than 7,9 million people living in poverty doesn’t need NGOs?
Even if you go to stable developed countries, they still have NGOs. He doesn’t appreciate the role of NGOs.
What Mavima doesn’t pick is that there is a lot of humanitarian work that is being done by NGOs.
They are feeding thousands of people who cannot afford to get a meal and are sending a lot of dropouts back to school.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/03/go-to-war-torn-ukraine-govt-tells-ngos/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Mavima Criticised For His Remarks On NGOs

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is shocked and dismayed at the malicious falsehoods published by a little-known online paper alleging that 11 terror suspects (members of the Coalition) were arrested at a safe house in Norton today September 18, 2021.
To set the record straight, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has no links whatsoever with the alleged terror suspects and has no safe house in Norton.
We would like to set the record straight that the so-called terrorists are not members of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.
We demand an immediate retraction of the dangerous and defamatory story which may be an attempt to create fictitious charges of ‘terrorism’ against human rights defenders as justification to clamp down on civil society activists.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition wishes to reassure its entire membership and the generality of Zimbabweans that it pursues its vision of a democratic Zimbabwe through constitutional and peaceful means only, and has no links whatsoever to any terror activities.
Of late, the State has been making frantic efforts to close the democratic space in Zimbabwe and we view the recent move as an attempt to create justification for persecution of pro-democracy defenders.
We appeal to the government of Zimbabwe to desist from persecuting rights defenders, clamping down on civil society and shrinking the democratic space.
We deplore the fact that the state is seeking to create fictitious news platforms to propagate propaganda that seeks to demonize the work of civil society organizations in Zimbabwe.
As Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, we remain true to the ideals of democracy and call upon all peace-loving Zimbabweans to continue to pursue peaceful means towards the democratic transition in Zimbabwe.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition Statement On Alleged Terrorist Activities | FULL TEXT

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed a report claiming “anti-terror” detectives raided a Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe shelter in Norton and recovered weapons and other items.
A report by <a href="https://zimraider.co.zw/breaking-police-raid-safe-house-in-norton-11-arrested/">Zim Raider</a> claimed that national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi had confirmed the arrest of 11 suspects while four others still remain at large after escaping from the scene. The raid allegedly occurred yesterday.
In a post on its Twitter channel this Saturday, ZRP refuted the claims, saying it was now looking into the motive behind the false statement. The post read:
<blockquote>
The ZRP dismisses a social media story by Zimraider.co.zw and attributed to Amanda Khumalo on the alleged raid at Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe’s shelter house in Norton, purported arrest of 11 suspects, recovery of weapons and other items.
The ZRP Spokesperson A/C Paul Nyathi has not issued such a statement which is obviously dismissed with the contempt it deserves. The Police is now looking into the motive behind this false and fake statement.
</blockquote>
According to Zim Raider, the terror suspects who have been carrying out undercover operations at 2345 Nharira, Norton, were yesterday arrested by the CID anti-terror unit following a tip-off from members of the public.
The report further claimed the 11 suspects were being detained at Harare central police station and a case has been opened with RRB NO 4084566.
Police detectives reportedly recovered 15 CZ pistols, ammunition, 100 South African registered sim cards, 100 A50 Samsung mobile phones, 20 boxes of syringes, drugs, 4 South African Registered white Toyota Quantums, dozens of fake police, CIO, army and ZPCS IDs, projectors, costumes, cameras, written scripts, diagrams and maps during the raid.
The report identified the “terror suspects” as Thembani Ndlovu (33), Philani Mkwananzi (29), Mtholisi Ncube (26), Phumulani Sibanda (26), Melissa Gamano (23), Tanya Mauto (27), Christine Juta (31), Simon Makonese (24), Reason Jera (40), Clemence Kasanga (39) and Tendai Mafunga (22). Asst Comm Nyathi was quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
The four suspects still at large are armed and dangerous therefore should members of the public have further information that may lead to their arrest, kindly contact the police through this number +263712800197.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Police Dismiss Report Alleging The Arrest Of 11 'Terrorists' In Norton

Civil society statement on the demand for Memoranda of Understanding by Masvingo and Harare Provincial Development Coordinators
2 July 2021
Civil Society Organisations under the banner, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, have taken note of Memos circulated on social media which are attributed to the Masvingo and Harare Provincial Administrators and wish to state as follows:
1. The Memos by the two Provincial Administrators are part of a broader campaign by the state to close civic and democratic space ahead of the 2023 elections.
2. The illegal demands are not confined to Harare but have been implemented in other provinces particularly, rural communities where the conflation of the state and the party is intensive.
3. The unfortunate attempt to further close civil society space follows an already politicised environment where civil society work is criminalised as characterised by frequent arrests and detention of various anti-corruption and pro-democracy activists/leaders.
4. That the Provincial Development Coordinator’s office, as currently structured, is not supported by the law.
5 That the two Provincial Development Coordinators actions and or conduct is outside the parameters of the law.
End

CSOs Responds To Harare And Masvingo PDCs' Memos (Full Text}

COMMUNIQUE OF THE CRISIS COALITION COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MAY 7, 2021 IN HARARE
1. The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition held an urgent Coordinating Committee meeting, in line with its coordinating mandate on Friday, May 7, 2021, to deliberate on the socio-economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe
2. The meeting expressed concern over the deepening constitutional crisis in Zimbabwe as displayed by the process and spirit of the passage of the Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 2). The coup of November 2017 still haunts Zimbabwe.
3. The meeting resolved that there is a need for concerted efforts to fight, through legal means, the obtaining erosion of democracy in Zimbabwe and the emergence of an imperial executive. Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 2) as well as other proposed amendments to the constitution present a pattern of an attack on constitutionalism.
4. The meeting concurred on the need to revive the People’s Charter as well as the establishment of a Constitutional Watchdog to protect as well as raise awareness on the constitution and constitutionalism
5. The meeting applauded the move by the Crisis Coalition to engage former liberation movements within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the continued crisis in Zimbabwe.
6. The meeting acknowledged the progress to decentralize the activities of the Coalition as part of efforts to amplify and support local voices at the provincial level. Socio-economic and political issues of villagers, farmers, women, students, informal minors, residents and traders, children and ethnic minorities need to be central.
7. The meeting concurred on the need to mobilize citizens to register to vote and place citizen agency at the centre of building the Zimbabwe we want
8. The meeting resolved that there is a need to amplify calls for the lifting of the suspension of by-elections and allow peoples choices to subsist in local and national polities.
9. The meeting noted the need for a National Working People’s Convention in light of the continued violation of peasants and workers’ rights in Zimbabwe by both state and private sector entities. The convention will define a way forward on how ordinary citizens will save Zimbabwe.
Ends//

FULL TEXT: Communique Of The Crisis Coalition Coordinating Committee Meeting

<blockquote>Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) is disturbed by the continued weaponization of the judiciary by the State which continues to use judicial capture to persecute dissenting voices.
Through judicial capture, the State has been victimizing opposition and civil society activists who have had to endure lengthy periods in detention though, in most of the cases, there will be compelling reasons to grant the activists bail as prescribed by Section 50 (1) (d) of the Zimbabwean constitution.
We are disturbed by the fact that judicial capture has contributed significantly to the shrinking of the democratic space in Zimbabwe with the State using the courts to punish dissenting voices.
The issue of judicial capture has been exposed by the fact that in most cases where civil society and opposition activists have been denied bail, the High Court has ruled that the Magistrate Courts would have grossly misdirected itself in denying the activists bail.
On Tuesday, March 16, 2021, the bail hearing for 9 Mthwakazi Republic activists arrested for protesting against the persecution of their leader by State Security agents in Bulawayo failed to take off after the State failed to provide medical examination reports in court.
The State failed to give a valid reason for their failure to produce the medical reports and this in itself amounts to persecution by prosecution.
The activists’ lawyer had requested the medical examinations following reports that the activists were tortured while in police custody.
It is quite apparent that the State continues to use judicial capture and torture to silence dissenting voices and we demand justice for the Mthwakazi activists who have a constitutional right to be brought before a competent court within a reasonable period.
The state has also upped its gear in terms of persecution of student leaders and numerous arrests have been recorded over the past months.
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leader, Takudzwa Ngadziore (who was arrested together with the ZINASU Secretary-General, Tapiwanashe Chiriga) continues to languish in remand prison following his arrest on February 26, 2021, on charges of convening a press conference in solidarity with incarcerated opposition activist, Makomborero Haruzivishe.
Haruzivishe is in remand prison after he was arrested on February 17, 2021, following a protest at Impala Car Rentals premises in Harare.
His protest followed reports that vehicles belonging to Impala Car Rentals were being used in the abduction of civic society and opposition activists.
The police fired gunshots during Haruzivishe’s arrest.
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 in solidarity with Haruzivishe.
On March 5, 2021 opposition MDC Alliance activists Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri were arrested at the Magistrate Courts where they had also attended court in solidarity with Haruzivishe and they continue to languish in remand prison. Mamombe and Chimbiri are victims of torture and sexual abuse at the hands of state security agents.
As Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, we are deeply concerned that the judiciary has been turned into a weapon to thwart fundamental human rights enshrined in the country’s constitution.
An independent judiciary is a pre-requisite for a democratic society and we are disturbed that the judiciary has been one of the institutions contributing to the shrinking of the democratic space in Zimbabwe.
The capture and weaponization of the judiciary is a call for civic society to act and as Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, we will mobilize CSOs to petition against judicial capture.
Political polarisation and state brutality continue to characterise Zimbabwe’s political landscape and in this regard, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition calls upon the government of Zimbabwe to implement the Motlanhte Commission recommendations of 2018 which directed that the government needs to, among other things, do away with polarisation, violence against women in politics and promote political tolerance.
The government of Zimbabwe should thus desist from the use of brute force against dissenting voices.
Promoting peace and reconciliation is a collective responsibility, but more importantly we expect the government to take the lead in promoting national cohesion and we are concerned that events on the ground point to the contrary.</blockquote>

FULL TEXT: Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition Condemns Govt Lawfare Against Dissidents

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CZC) has condemned the arrest of 13 nurses at Sally Mugabe Hospital, formerly Harare Hospital, on Monday following a peaceful protest over poor salaries.
Below is CZC’s statement in full:
<blockquote>The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CZC) condemns the arrest of striking nurses at Harare Hospital today. We are not surprised by this action of the government of Zimbabwe; we know too well it is in the DNA of the Zimbabwean administration to behave in this manner.
The behaviour of this government is the utmost violation of the freedom of association and infringes on the overall rights and trade union rights.
The problems of Zimbabwe will never be resolved through arrests, violence and intimidation. We demand their unconditional and immediate release.
The arrests only confirm of a worsening situation and closure of democratic space and strengthen the case that Zimbabwe remains a country at risk.
We call on the entire trade union movement to mobilise and support the healthcare workers. Nurses, like any other public servants, are facing hunger and starvation in this COVID-19 lockdown and are expected to be at the forefront in the fight against this global pandemic.  How can they take such a huge risk to serve the nation while their own families are starving?
We reiterate our call to the government of Zimbabwe to expedite negotiations with the workers, who are on strike and accede to their reasonable demands.
It cannot be business as usual when these violations continue, SADC cannot ignore this continued infringement of freedoms and rights of Zimbabweans. We call upon SADC to intervene immediately, meaningfully with sustainable solutions for Zimbabwe.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition</blockquote>

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Condemns Arrest Of Striking Nurses

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition spokesperson Marvellous Khumalo said Zimbabweans are facing a bleak second festive season in a row, with virtually nothing in the country.
Speaking to NewsDay, Khumalo chided the country’s leadership for focusing on wrong things instead of addressing the myriad of challenges the country is facing. Said Khumalo:
<blockquote>As we go into this festive season, prices of basic commodities have sky-rocketed. Early next year, we will be talking about school fees when children will be expected to go back to school.
There is nothing in the country, but unfortunately, we are lacking leadership. The leadership is focusing on the wrong things despite a myriad of challenges we have.
In the current crisis, instead of leaders focusing on how to give a good festive season by addressing economic challenges, we are witnessing sideshows.</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s economy has been in the doldrums since a military coup ousted long-serving President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Robert_Mugabe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Robert Mugabe</a> in November 2017.
Shortage of food, closure of hospitals, shortage of clean water, shortage of cash in banks, galloping inflation, shortage of fuel and an electricity crisis are some of the things Zimbabweans have had to contend with.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/12/zimbabwe-faces-bleak-festive-season/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

'There Is Nothing In The Country Whilst Leaders Are Focusing On Sideshows', - CiZC

<blockquote>Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) notes with great concern government’s continued crackdown on Non-Governmental Organizations.
As was the case during the Mugabe era, the ‘new dispensation’ continues to label non-governmental organizations as agents of regime change and this has been the basis upon which the government has tried to justify its crackdown on the organizations whose mandate is to uphold democracy and hold the government accountable.
Since the November 2017 military coup which ushered in the new government led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, there has been a systemic closure of the democratic space characterized by persecution of civil society leaders as well as the continued militarization of key state institutions.
We are concerned that this unfortunate development has come with adverse effects on democracy, economic development as well as on efforts to re-engage with the international community.
The government has failed to instil confidence in the economy and it is quite unfortunate that when ordinary citizens exercise their democratic right to protest against the increasing cost of living, the government chooses to declare war against citizens and civil society organizations.
We denounce the recent announcement by the government to the effect that they will be tracking funds for non-governmental organizations so as to ensure the funds ‘are not used to fund terrorism’.
The move by the government to ban the operations of CiZC member, Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) on March 11, 2019, is regrettable and serves as clear testimony of a sinister agenda to close the democratic space by clamping down on non-governmental organizations.
In February 2019, President Mnangagwa threatened to clamp down on civil society organizations as well as doctors and lawyers whom he blamed for backing the January 2019 protests and events that are unfolding at the moment are true to his word.
If anything, Zimbabwe, despite assurances of a new dispensation, remains stuck in the dark past.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2019/03/cizc-condemns-closure-of-democratic-space/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Zimbabwean</a></h4>

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