Twenty-two members of the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) who were arrested while attending a prayer meeting in Emakhandeni, Bulawayo, on Saturday afternoon have been released. The group, comprising 17 women and five men, included a woman who had recently given birth prematurely. They were arrested while praying for a fellow member who was reportedly […]
Twenty-two members of the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) who were arrested while attending a prayer meeting in Emakhandeni, Bulawayo, on Saturday afternoon have been released.
The group, comprising 17 women and five men, included a woman who had recently given birth prematurely. They were arrested while praying for a fellow member who was reportedly unwell.
The NDWG is a political grouping led by former MDC and CCC MP Job Sikhala.
Members were initially taken to Emakhandeni Police Station before being transferred to the CID Law and Order section at Bulawayo Central Police Station, where they were held without formal charge.
They have since been released while police formulate a charge, according to their lawyer Prisca Dube of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
Dube said police had indicated the members were “planning a demonstration”, but argued that merely planning a demonstration does not constitute an offence.
She said some of the members had travelled from Chimanimani, Harare, Masvingo and Filabusi to attend the prayer meeting.
“There was a premature child, who was two months old, so they released them. Those that had come from Chimanimani, Harare, Masvingo and Filabusi are travelling back right now,” Dube said.
She said police will contact the lawyers once they have formulated a charge, with the members expected to return from their respective homes if summoned.
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