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Home » 2009 » #784 » International News » Zimbabwe: Free Jestina Mukoko

Steve O’Brien

Mukoko, the director of the human rights organisation Zimbabwe Peace Project, was abducted from her home in early December.

She was a prize catch in a nation-wide sweep that saw scores of activists, including a two-year-old child, arrested by undercover security agents

It was several weeks before President Robert Mugabe’s government was forced to admit that they had detained Mukoko. Subsequently, they handed her over to the police in accordance with the law. She has been charged with plotting to overthrow the government.

Mukoko played an important role in documenting the reign of terror unleashed against supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change(MDC) during and after the March 2008 elections. This violence was instrumental in denying the MDC its rightful victory.

A subsequent wave of arrests and violence later in 2008 coincided with immense pressure being placed on the MDC to form a government of "national unity".

The unity agreement was finally sealed on February 11 with
Morgan Tsvangirai becoming prime minister, and reporting to Mugabe.

Despite the MDC now being part of Mugabe’s government, up to 30 MDC activists are still held in Zimbabwean prisons.

Mukoko, who has been tortured, as has 72-year-old Fidelis Chiramba and several other activists, was finally moved to hospital detention on February 13.

The same day, police even arrested Roy Bennet, the MDC’s nominee for deputy agriculture minister, before he could be sworn in.

Congress of South African Trade Unions called for the release of the detained activists on February 18. The South African government has played a key role in proving diplomatic cover for Mugabe and pressing the MDC leadership to agree to Mugabe’s terms.

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