Urgent Alert
Published by the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
15th January 2003
Concern for Welfare of Sikhala and Shumba
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is concerned about the welfare of St Mary’s MP Job Sikhala and NGO Human Rights Forum research lawyer Gabriel Shumba.
Police went to the home of Job Sikhala early on Tuesday morning, and arrested four of his family members on spurious allegations. The four were released yesterday on bail.
When the police came to his home, Sikhala reportedly left the scene, as he is aware from personal experience of the tendency of police to act brutally towards detainees.
Gabriel Shumba had gone to St Mary’s constituency yesterday to visit Sikhala and offer him counsel. After the two met, both Sikhala and Shumba were subsequently arrested and detained at St Mary’s Police Station. Shumba phoned a work colleague at midnight on Wednesday morning confirming that he and Sikhala were being held at St Mary’s. Shumba also reported that the police had confiscated his files and indicated that they were likely to be moved from St Mary’s Police Station.
The two were subsequently moved to Mbare. Shumba is being held at Matapi Police Station, while Sikhala is at Mbare Police Station. As of 11:30 this morning, no charges have been filed against either of the two. Police report that they do not have the transport to take the two to Harare Law and Order Section.
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is deeply concerned for the welfare of these two individuals and urges the police to release them immediately.
Members of the public are urged to phone:
Mbare Police Station on 706401/5 and
Matapi Police Station on 706881/2
to express their concern for the welfare of these two individuals and to demand that they be released.