Security agents quiz Crisis in Zimbabwe employee over protests
By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
Suspected State security agents on Thursday questioned a Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) senior employee over the human rights organisation’s involvement in recent citizen protests.
In a statement, CiZC said the agents quizzed Thulani Mswelanto, the coalition’s programme manager, as government widens its onslaught on human rights defenders, journalists and ordinary citizens.
“The move by the suspected State security agents follows publication of a statement in which Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition expressed its solidarity with peaceful protestors around the country.
“Thulani Mswelanto received an anonymous call from an unidentified man who later went on to threaten him with unspecified action over Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition’s role in coordinating protests over misgovernance in Zimbabwe,” said CiZC.
Prior to that, two unidentified men had visited his home enquiring about his whereabouts.
The men were reportedly moving in an unmarked Isuzu vehicle which close to Mswelanto’s house.
The coalition added that Edgar Gweshe, the information officer, had received similar threats.
“The anonymous caller blamed Crisis in Zimbabwe for coordinating the #Tasvinura protest campaign in Masvingo as well as coordinating the activities of social movements that have been blamed for the chaos currently rocking Zimbabwe,” said Crisis.
Police recently arrested seven people in Masvingo at the launch of the #Tasvinura outfit that is seeking to empower citizens to debate the ongoing economic and political crisis.
“The latest threats from the State agents are genuine cause for alarm especially given the abductions and torture of opposition as well as civic society activists over the last months.
“Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition implores the State to respect citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms such as the right to life and personal security,” said the watchdog organisation.
Crisis repeated the call for regional, continental as well as international bodies to intervene in resolving the Zimbabwean crisis “to avoid unnecessary loss of lives as a result of State brutality”. Nehanda Radio
