The brutal assault on political activists and human rights defenders who have had the courage to call out alleged corruption and demand accountability from their government is intensifying.

The persecution of these activists is a blatant abuse of the criminal justice system and the mockery of justice.

This latest witch-hunt and repression of peaceful dissent is a continuation of what we have seen in the country in recent years, including the abductions and arbitrary arrests of those who are critical of the government, in an attempt to muzzle differing views. The thwarting of the protest illustrates the Zimbabwean authorities’ total intolerance of criticism.

Opposition MDC-Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere, an author, Tsitsi Dangarembga and Henry Chivhanga, an activist fighting for rights of people with disabilities are among those who were arrested for protesting.

Meanwhile, police also arrested the sister of investigative journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu on 30 July and refused to release her until the journalist appeared at Bulawayo Central police station.