Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of a raid on the offices of the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN) and of the home of Rindai Chipfunde-Vava, Director of the ZESN, on 25 April 2008. The ZESN is a group of thirty-eight non-governmental organisations which have come together to promote democratic processes in Zimbabwe.

Further Information

Posted 30/04/2008 On 25 April 2008, at approximately 11.00am, five officers of the Zimbabwe Republic Police raided the offices of the ZESN in Belgravia, Harare. The same day, police officers raided the home of Rindai Chipfunde-Vava. The police had search warrants which stated that they were looking for subversive material. Many documents were confiscated in the raids.

ZESN Programme Manager Tsungai Kokerai was reportedly detained for questioning following the raid on the ZESN offices and was released the same day. Yesterday, 28 April 2008, ZESN Chairperson Noel Kututwa was reportedly accompanied by a lawyer to the Harare Central Police Station. He had been asked to submit the organisation's financial accounts as well as a written description of ZESN activities and an explanation on its role in the elections of 29 March 2008, including details of all election observers deployed by the ZESN. The police have reportedly summoned Noel Kututwa to the police station again today, 29 April 2008, together with Director Rindai Chipfunde-Vava. Noel Kututwa and Rindai Chipfunde-Vava may face arrest as a result of their human rights activities.

Front Line believes that the ZESN has been targeted because of its legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular its work to promote democracy in Zimbabwe. Front Line is concerned about the physical and psychological integrity of Rindai Chipfunde-Vava, Noel Kututwa, and other members of the ZESN.