The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has expressed concern over reports that a Harare lawyer, Kudzai Kadzere was assaulted by police on Saturday while he was attending to members of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) who had been arrested.
CCC reported yesterday that Kadzere was “badly beaten and arrested” while attending to party officials including Amos Chibaya who were detained at Budiriro 2 police station.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, LSZ criticised the police for taking a front-row seat to violate the rights of all citizens when they have a constitutional obligation to protect them. Reads the statement:
EM/rc/LSZ statement on assault of lawyer by police/2023 14 January 2023
Law Society of Zimbabwe statement on reports of police assault on Harare lawyer Mr Kudzai Kadzere
The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) expresses deep concern at reports that one of its members and Harare lawyer Mr Kudzai Kadzere, was assaulted and humiliated by police details early Saturday.
Information reaching the Law Society of Zimbabwe is that Mr Kadzere had apparently reacted to a plea for legal assistance by a group of opposition political party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists in Harare’s high-density suburb of Budiriro. Upon arrival at the police station, Mr Kadzere was reportedly seized and assaulted by police officials.
Mr Kadzere has confirmed the assault. Just this week, we issued a statement condemning reports of violence in Murewa and calling on the state to do everything possible to nip political violence in the bud. To have such brazen conduct from police officers demonstrates a high level of impunity by officers and nothing short of swift disciplinary action will restore public confidence in the police.
Our Constitution and numerous other international instruments to which Zimbabwe is a state party provide for rights to legal representation and the right of lawyers to do their work freely without hindrance.
Our own courts have pronounced themselves unequivocally on the rights of legal practitioners to conduct their professional duties without any hindrance.
This is a new low for Zimbabwe and we are deeply disappointed that of all people, the police who have a constitutional obligation to protect the rights of all citizens have taken a front-row seat to violating the same. This is a sad indictment on the professionalism of our police force which is expected to operate in a fair and non-partisan manner.
The Law Society of Zimbabwe demands an explanation and a full investigation as well as prosecution of those behind Mr Kadzere’s assault. Such kind of behaviour must not be allowed in our country and should be frowned upon. The right of lawyers to represent all who require legal representation should be sacrosanct and the police must be the first to defend it.
We wish Mr Kadzere a speedy recovery.