Zimbabwe police have arrested 18 political activists, pulling some off a plane, their lawyers reported Thursday. This marks the latest government crackdown after authorities warned they would suppress opposition protests ahead of this month’s meeting of southern African heads of state.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights group announced that they are representing the activists who were arrested on Wednesday. Namatai Kwekweza, a 25-year-old pro-democracy advocate and the first recipient of the Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize in 2023, is among the arrested activists.
This award, given by the foundation of the late United Nations secretary-general, recognizes young individuals committed to democratic principles.
The arrests have been condemned by Amnesty International, and the Annan Foundation has stated it is “deeply concerned” by the incident.
On the tarmac of Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare, Kwekweza and three other activists were removed from a plane.
Additionally, 14 other activists were arrested the same day for participating in a protest in a separate town.
The four activists taken off the plane are charged with disorderly conduct related to their involvement in a courthouse protest in late June.
They were demanding the release of 77 opposition members who have been held in pre-trial detention for more than six weeks.
The 77 activists were detained at a barbecue held at the home of one of their leaders. Police alleged they assembled “with the intent to incite violence, disrupt peace, or promote bigotry”. Among those arrested were a mother and her 1-year-old child.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who assumed power following a coup that ousted autocrat Robert Mugabe in 2017, has faced accusations of suppressing political opposition much like his predecessor.
Mugabe has ruled the country for 37 years since its independence.
Since Mnangagwa, 81, assumed the presidency, numerous opposition members, university students, and labor unionists have been arrested.
While denying accusations of oppression, he has warned the opposition against what he calls incitement of violence.
Authorities have taken steps to quell any new protests ahead of the Southern African leaders’ summit in Harare on August 17.
Earlier this year, the United States sanctioned Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s first lady, and others for their alleged involvement in gold and diamond smuggling, as well as human rights abuses.
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