How Zimbabweans Reacted To Journalist's Arrest At State House
Journalist Zenzele Ndebele was arrested at State House in Bulawayo. Colleagues say he was arrested after a used teargas canister was found in his vehicle. He is set to appear in court tomorrow charged with possession of offensive weapon.
In September 2018, police called in Zenzele for questioning over his documentary entitled: “Gukurahundi Genocide: 36 years later.” He was questioned and released without any charges.Zenzele is the second prominent journalist arrested following the arrest of Edmund Kudzayi. Below are some of the reactions to Zenzele’s arrest:
https://twitter.com/Smith_JeffreyT/status/1108707557009485824
https://twitter.com/advocatemahere/status/1108797770696151040
First it was Edmund Kudzayi, today it’s Zenzele Ndebele. Who is next and when will this stop. #FreeZenzele
— Nqaba Matshazi (@nqabamatshazi) March 21, 2019
The criminalization of civic activism continues unabated. Standing in solidarity with @zenzele and all other activists possibly facing one form of persecution or another. pic.twitter.com/JlY4XKvnGJ
— ERC Africa (@ercafrica) March 21, 2019
Zenzele Ndebele has produced two documentaries on Gukurahundi. He was unwanted at State House in Bulawayo because he single-handedly would have ruined Emmerson Mnangagwa's day. That, in a nutshell, is why he sleeps in a cold police cell tonight charged with nonsense #Asidilize
— Mduduzi Mathuthu (@Mathuthu) March 21, 2019
1. I hear the regime has arrested journalist @zenzele Ndebele at State House in Bulawayo where civil society groups were meeting Mnangagwa. No details of the charge at present. Lately, Zenzele has been one of the most active mobilisers of suppport for victims of #CycloneIDAI
— Alex T Magaisa 🇿🇼 (@Wamagaisa) March 21, 2019
Just heard of @zenzele's arrest and I am outraged beyond measure!
This continual and systematic repression is pathetic and unacceptable!
The extent to which @edmnangagwa is defiant is dizzying!
Is that why he went to Bulawayo?
To further antagonise us?
Release him!#FreeZenzele— Thandekile Moyo (@Mamoxn) March 21, 2019
#FreeZenzele
The arrest of Zenzele at State House by @edmnangagwa gvt is a shame, @zenzele is a Journalist & Director of Gukurahundi Documentaries. He is known for his deep investigative projects especially surrounding issues of Gukurahundi genocide & Matabeleland marginalization pic.twitter.com/CsAfojPCmo— Lion (@FoxLion2028) March 21, 2019
@zenzele is one of the best voices and encyclopedia as far as gukurahundi is concerned. He never made up a story all he does is ask questions and record the answers after verifying them. Chatyisa chii #FreeZenzele
— Sinyoro 🤠 (@MunyaMathew) March 21, 2019
I was going through the law under which @zenzele has been charged. S. 43 of the Criminal Law (Codification) Act says it’s an offence to “possess an offensive weapon at a public gathering”.
An “offensive weapon” includes “any stone”
Just in case you carry those pebbles!
— Alex T Magaisa 🇿🇼 (@Wamagaisa) March 21, 2019
If you've made the removal of SACTIONS your daily mantra, good on you. Just don't expect us to take you seriously when you're silent about the arrest of @zenzele
— Munhumutema (@abrahamseda) March 21, 2019
@zenzele is one of the most peace loving and law abiding citizens I know.
But simply because of his objective views he has been classified as an enemy of the mafia ED led state. His arrest is one of the key reasons I no longer trust our justice system. #FreeZenzele pic.twitter.com/l9gJezTFFD
— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) March 21, 2019
Whoever arrested @zenzele is an enemy of peace and tranquility. I demand that please #FreeZenzele
— Thabisa Sibanda (@SibandaSibbs) March 21, 2019
