Police in Zimbabwe Break Up Opposition Protest at Courthouse Over Activists’ Extended Detention

Police in Zimbabwe used batons to disperse a courthouse protest by opposition supporters, angered by the ongoing detention of numerous activists arrested in mid-June. Activists, such as interim leader Jameson Timba, have been detained since June 16 following their arrest at Timba’s Harare residence.

They are accused of disorderly conduct and involvement in a gathering to incite violence, disrupt peace, or promote bigotry. Upon conviction, they could face a fine or up to five years in prison. Amnesty International has criticized the arrests and detentions as part of a troubling trend of suppressing individuals’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression.

This crackdown underscores the ongoing repression, including the pretrial detention, of opposition members and other government dissenters. Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s denials, allegations persist, and he has continuously cautioned the opposition against provoking violence.