RSS 2.0 FeedSeptember 2009 Vol 12, Crime and Courts
Zimbabwe lawyers to lay down their gowns
Zimbabwean lawyers will boycott their court duties in Harare on Monday to protest the ongoing harassment of lawyers and state agents.
They are angry about the recent arrest of a respected human rights lawyer. Lawyers say they are sending a petition to the Zanu-PF minister Patrick Chinamasa. They are also boycotting their court duties in order to attend a court appearance by Mordecai Mahlangu. Mahlangu was arrested two weeks ago for writing a letter of protest to the Attorney General. The Attorney General wanted Mahlangu’s client Mike Hitschmann to testify against Movement for Democratic Change Treasurer Roy Bennett, even though Hitschmann said he only implicated Bennett after being tortured. After Mahlangu wrote his letter, he was accused of attempting to defeat the course of justice. He was then arrested and detained in police cells. He is currently out of custody on bail. It is not clear if the protest will affect Bennett’s trial. The judge is due to announce whether he will step down from hearing the case, as Bennett’s lawyers want him to.
