Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors Express Concern Over Masaraure's Continued Detention

Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors (ZHRM) have expressed concern over the continued detention of the Obert Masaraure, the president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ).

ZHRM, an organisation whose goal is to transform Zimbabwe into a Democratic Developmental state through research, innovation, policy analysis, lobbying and advocacy and citizen participation, said:

It’s is a characteristical injustice to hold someone in custody for a fortnight without granting bail especially when there is no sufficient ground to do so. We are concerned by how the regime arrests to investigate instead of investigating to arrest.

The sentiments were echoed by ARTUZ which said Masaraure must be released. Said the teachers’ union:

It’s 2 weeks now and the regime is still holding our President in custody for a crime he did not commit. At their best, they can’t even grant him bail which is a fundamental right as stated in the constitution of Zimbabwe. 

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Masaraure was arrested on 14 June 2022 in connection with the death of his friend Roy Issa fell from the seventh floor of a Harare Hotel sometime in 2016 while drinking with friends, including Masaraure.

Back in 2016, the Zimbabwe Republic Police dismissed any foul play following investigations into Roy Issa’s death.

The United States’ largest trade union, the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO), has also petitioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa to drop charges against Masaraure.

Like many other human rights defenders, AFL-CIO believes that the charges are solely motivated by Masaraure’s legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights.

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