ZCTU President Peter Mutasa Charged With Treason

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leader Peter Mutasa was charged and detained for allegedly subverting a constitutional government or inciting public violence.

Mutasa was arrested when he presented himself to police in the company of his lawyer, Alec Muchadehama. Muchadehama confirmed Mutasa’s arrest and charge. He said the ZCTU leader will appear in court today.

Police say Mutasa, together with Harare cleric and activist Evan Mawarire (now in custody), recorded and circulated on social media, a video calling on Zimbabweans to go on a three-day stay away last week. The call for a job boycott was in protest over government’s failure to turn around the country’s economic fortunes as well as the hiking of fuel prices. The stay away turned chaotic as angry citizens barricaded roads with burning tyres, damaged vehicles and looted businesses.