Zimbabwe police have arrested 18 political activists, including some who were removed from a plane, according to their lawyers. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights group reported the detentions, which occurred on Wednesday.
Among those arrested is Namatai Kwekweza, a 25-year-old pro-democracy campaigner and the 2023 winner of the Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize. Kwekweza and three other activists were taken off a plane on the tarmac of the Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare. An additional 14 activists were arrested the same day for protesting in another town.
The four removed from the plane are charged with disorderly conduct related to a courthouse protest in late June. They had been demanding the release of 77 opposition party members who have been in pre-trial detention for over six weeks.
Amnesty International has condemned the arrests, while the Kofi Annan Foundation expressed deep concern over the incident.
These arrests come as Zimbabwe prepares to host a meeting of southern African heads of state this month. The government had previously warned it would suppress opposition protests ahead of the summit.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who succeeded Robert Mugabe in 2017, faces accusations of cracking down on political opposition similarly to his predecessor. Numerous opposition members, university students, and labor unionists have been arrested since Mnangagwa took office.
Mnangagwa denies being oppressive but has warned against what he terms inciting violence. Authorities have moved to prevent new protests ahead of the southern African leaders’ meeting in Harare on August 17.
Earlier this year, the United States sanctioned Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s first lady, and others for alleged involvement in gold and diamond smuggling and human rights abuses.
The recent arrests highlight ongoing tensions between the government and opposition groups in Zimbabwe, drawing international attention as the country prepares to host regional leaders.
apnews.com
