Transparency International condemns the arrest and assault of civil society leaders in Zimbabwe

Arbitrary arrest and assault of TI Zimbabwe Chairman John Makumbe an 'alarming sign', says anti-corruption group

Transparency International (TI) condemns the treatment by the Zimbabwean authorities of the Chairman of its national chapter in Zimbabwe, John Makumbe, who was arbitrarily detained by police on 13 February and assaulted while in handcuffs before being released.

"The arrests are an alarming sign of a further deterioration of the treatment of civil society leaders in Zimbabwe," said David Nussbaum, Managing Director of Transparency International, the world's leading non-governmental organisation engaged in the fight against corruption. "This appears to be yet another example of the Zimbabwean authorities' intolerance towards their critics. The incident sadly suggests that conditions in the country are not improving," Nussbaum said.

John Makumbe, a member of the international board of Transparency International and a well known political scientist and human rights activist, was among those arrested when police armed with batons prevented the holding of a meeting at a church in Harare on 13 February. Mr Makumbe was beaten across the face and is receiving medical treatment. Others arrested include Bishop Trevor Manhanga, the president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, and Brian Kagoro Coordinator of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.

Media Contact :

Berlin:

Ms Jana Kotalik
Tel: +49-30-3438 2061
Email: press@transparency.org

Harare:

Andrew Nongogo
Executive Director TI Zimbabwe
Tel (mobile): +263 913 27012
tizdir@mweb.co.zw