Human rights defenders, Mr Thulani Ndhlovu and Mr Ndodana Ndhlovu, were arrested on 28 October 2009 in Dete, Hwange for conducting a public outreach workshop, allegedly without police clearance. Ndodhana Ndhlovu was released later that day while Thulani Ndhlovu remained in custody until this morning, when he was released on bail.

Further Information

Thulani Ndhlovu and Nododhana Ndhlovu are staff members of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), a coalition of non-governmental organisations formed to co-ordinate activities pertaining to elections in Zimbabwe. ZESN promotes free and fair elections as well as democratic processes in general.

Thulani Ndhlovu and Nododhana Ndhlovu were arrested at Cross Mabale, a village in the northwest of Zimbabwe. Their public outreach workshop had dealt with election education and constitutional reform. They were arrested after the workshop despite the fact that police had been present throughout. ZESN reported that Thulani Ndhlovu was transferred to Hwange Police Station. This morning, 30 October, he was released on bail. However, charges are still pending and he is due to appear again in court on 26 November.

Thulani Ndhlovu has been charged under Section 24 of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA). Section 24 of POSA stipulates that an organiser shall notify the regulatory authority of intention to hold a public gathering. ZESN has been advocating for the repeal of POSA and other legislation which infringes the rights to freedom of association, movement and expression.

Front Line believes that the arrest of Thulani Ndhlovu and Nododhana Ndhlovu are directly linked to their work in the defence of human rights, particularly the right to a free and fair electoral process. Front Line is deeply concerned at the increase in instances of arrest, harassment and intimidation against human rights defenders, including the recent arrest of the chairperson and chief executive officer of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO).

Front Line urges the Zimbabwean authorities to:

1. Immediately drop all charges against Thulani Ndhlovu, as Front Line believes that they are being brought solely as a result of his peaceful and legitimate work in the defence of human rights;

2. Ensure in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Zimbabwe are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.