The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) says arrested Harare Deputy Mayor, Kudzai Kadzombe, is expected to appear in court facing charges of assaulting a Zanu PF activist.
In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, the ZLHR said, "In Harare, we are engaged in representing the recently elected Ward 14 Councillor @KudzieKadzombe arrested for alleged assault & she is set to appear in court on Friday. She is represented by @TinasheChinox & @PaidaSaurombe of @ZLHRLawyers."
Her attorney, Jeremiah Bamu said the complainant is one of the people who was contesting in the ward claiming that Kadzombe assaulted her.
Bamu said, “The matter is being brought to court following her election as deputy mayor. This is an attempt to bring her down after she defeated the complainant in an election.”
Kadzombe, a member of the opposition Citizens Coaltion for Change led by Nelson Chamisa, is among several party activists being targeted by state security agents, a few weeks after Zimbabwe’s disputed general elections.
Some CCC activists who have been arrested of late are Sunningdale lawmaker, Maureen Kademaunga, Gift Ostallos Siziba, five party members based in Goromonzi - Patrick Cheza, Elias Madhuveko, McMaster Chidyahunye, Courage Mugova and Delight Zinyemba. The latter are facing charges of assault. Charges of attempted murder laid against Kademaunga have been dropped. Siziba, who was accused of allegedly engaging in violence in a match pitting Highlanders and Dynamos FC, is now a free man.
But their colleagues Clayd Mashozhera and Daudi Jessub, who are facing attempted murder charges, are in remand prison. Seke CCC activists Councillor Alice Tsingano, Givemore Marovha and WInana Konoso are also behind bars, charged with election-related violence.
CCC maintains that its members are being arbitrarily arrested following the party’s calls for fresh elections. The August 23 polls were condemned by the Southern African Development Community, African Union and European Union who said the polls fell short of regional and international standards.
CCC interim spokesperson, Promise Mkhwanazi, Zanu PF is attempting to silence the opposition, which is demanding fresh elections to be supervised by SADC.
Mkhwanazi said, “We are under siege. We are not complaining about the election results. We are just stating the facts as they are that the elections were condemned as a shame and they continue to be condemned. As I speak, a lot is happening behind the scenes to try bring Mr. Mnangagwa to the negotiating table to discuss the modalities of free and fair elections. So, we are not complaining but just reiterating and reaffirming the correct position stated by ourselves as CCC, SADC and all other observer missions. There is no single organizations, international or regional, that has endorsed Mr. Mnangagwa’s election. Everybody says there must be a fresh, free and fair election and that is the objective and the focus of the CCC.”
But Tafadzwa Mugwadi of the ruling Zanu PF party said the opposition should forget about any elections.
“What elections? The elections have been held and President Emmerson Mnangagwa was re-elected and I also won the seat of Member Parliament. The elections were conducted as per the country’s constitution and therefore the next elections will be in 2028,” said Mugwadi