Zimbabwe: Threats against Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, particularly Mr Kucaca Phulu and Mr Tineyi Mukweka
Members of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), particularly Mr Kucaca Phulu and Mr Tineyi Mukweka, on 19 January 2009. ZLHR is a non-profit human rights organisation which aims to promote a culture of human rights in Zimbabwe and encourage the observance of the rule of law. Kucaca Phulu is the regional manager and Tineyi Mukweka is a paralegal of the ZLHR office in Bulawayo.
Further Information
On 19 January 2009, at approximately 8.45 a.m., an unidentified man entered the ZLHR office in Bulawayo. He asked Tineyi Mukweka, the only person in the office at the time, about Kucaca Phulu. On discovering that Kucaca Phulu was not present, the man threatened Tineyi Mukweka.
The man accused ZLHR of working to destabilise the government and representing “criminals and bandits” from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), blaming ZLHR for the imposition of targeted sanctions against certain ZANU PF and government officials. He allegedly criticised ZLHR for working to promote the rule of law and receiving financial support from hostile western governments. He then said “We are going to deal with you”, supposedly referring to ZLHR, before leaving.
On the same day, following the man's visit to the ZLHR offices, Kucaca Phulu received several phone calls at his home threatening to abduct him and Tineyi Mukweka that night and advising him to leave Bulawayo. Anonymous calls were also received by members of their family. The callers made clear to Kucaca Phulu that they were following him by referring to his movements during the day. ZLHR has since closed its office in Bulawayo and its staff members have moved to a safer place.
Kucaca Phulu is the lawyer representing Ms Jenni Williams and Ms Magodonga Mahlangu, leaders of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA). Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu were charged with disturbing peace, security or public order in connection with a protest organised by WOZA in October 2008. The first hearing of the trial is scheduled for 22 January. The timing of the attack against ZLHR suggests that it may also be aimed at intimidating ZLHR and compromising the legal defence of Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu.
Front Line believes that ZLHR was targeted because of its peaceful and legitimate human rights work, in particular the legal assistance provided to other human rights defenders. Front line is deeply concerned at the ongoing pattern of harassment against human rights defenders in Zimbabwe.
This Urgent Appeal has now ended. No further action is requested at this point. Thank you for taking action on this case.
Front Line issues Urgent Appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk on a daily basis. These Appeals normally remain active on our web site for a period of up to six weeks, depending on the situation. After this time they will be archived. Front Line maintains a watching brief on all these cases but no further action is requested after the six weeks, unless there is a significant development in the case.
