Members of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) have been arrested by the police in Harare, Mutare and Masvingo for attempting to demonstrate against the 2 per cent money transfer tax which was imposed by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has dispatched lawyers to offer emergency legal. 19 activists are reported to have been arrested in Harare, 20 in Mutare and 13 in Masvingo so far.
The police banned the labour union’s planned protest citing the cholera outbreak and the ban on public gatherings. However, the ZCTU felt hard done by the selective application of the ban after the ruling Zanu-PF was allowed to hold public gatherings. The University of Zimbabwe graduation where President Emmerson Mnangagwa was conferred with an honorary doctorate in law also took place on Wednesday and was not restricted in any way. Said ZCTU secretary-general, Japhet Moyo
We have seen other organisations doing public gatherings, just two weeks ago Zanu PF had a district meeting at Stodart netball grounds in Mbare, we have seen churches gathering every day and soccer matches that are happening, why does it become an issue when it’s ZCTU, is this cholera selective?
Some of the people who have been arrested include ZCTU president Peter Mutasa and Moyo. Mutasa was arrested at his offices at the ZCTU.
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