The Zimbabwean Republic Police have confirmed the arrest of opposition leader, Jacob Ngarivhume and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.
They have been charged with incitement to participate in public violence.
The duo will appear in court soon and are currently in police custody.
The press release is below:
Zimbabwean Police Arrest Ngarivhume, Chin’ono (Text)
Ngarivhume ‘s Tweet a day before he was arrested.
When I proposed a national demonstration I knew the risks. But it is sickening for the state to pretend to care about COVID 19 lives yet send me messages threatening to kill me and my family.
— Jacob Ngarivhume (@jngarivhume) July 19, 2020
Award winning #Zimbabwe journalist Hopewell Chin’ono says his house has broken into by state authorities. Could it be because he has been fearlessly reporting about the situation in #Zimbabwe from social issues right through to wanton corruption and looting? pic.twitter.com/AkUgIwXqzl
— Peter Ndoro (@peterndoro) July 20, 2020
The Movement for Democratic Change Alliance and other human rights organisations have condemned the arrests.
We condemn the arrest and persecution of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and activist Jacob Ngarivhume. Section 67 of the Constitution gives every person the right to challenge the Govt. We demand their freedom & immediate release.
*RETWEET FOR AWARENESS* pic.twitter.com/lISfpSZn8K
— MDC Alliance (@mdczimbabwe) July 20, 2020
#STATEMENT: The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) notes with concern the arrest of Transform Zimbabwe President Jacob Ngarivhume who is the convener for the 31 July Protest and Journalists Hopewell Chin’ono who has been exposing government corruption on social media. pic.twitter.com/jyYcdh2XvN
— ZimRights (@ZimRights1) July 20, 2020
Breaking News :
Jacob Ngarivhume arrested. They are furiously hunting for me, Hopewell Chin’ono and Promise Mkwananzi.
— HON Job Wiwa Sikhala (@JobSikhala1) July 20, 2020
1. Yesterday I said the regime would throw up a trick to divert attention from the looting under the Farm Mechanisation Scheme. The arrest of Hopewell Chin’ono & Jacob Ngarivhume is supposed to do that. Regime wants to take back control of the narrative. But #PayBackOurMoney
— Alex T Magaisa ?? (@Wamagaisa) July 20, 2020
Hopewell and Jacob Ngarivhume are being denied access to lawyers and this violates the Constitution of Zimbabwe.#JULY31 #ZanuPFMustGo
— Team Pachedu ?? (@PacheduZW) July 20, 2020
Rights activists have started a social media, calling for the release of the duo.
Tsitsi doing her thing.
Leadership!#FreeHopewell pic.twitter.com/XPnNVJPz94— Raisedon Baya (@RaisedonB) July 20, 2020
This is the fight for our lives..If we keep quiet we will perish…If we speak out we will perish… #FreeHopewell #CorruptionMustFall … We choose to perish speaking out!!!!
— Elias Mambo/Zim Morning Post ???? (@elias_mambo) July 20, 2020
We stand in solidarity with Hopewell Chin’ono & Jacob Ngarivhume for they never for a second incited public violence as the police claim.
We thank them and others for bringing to light why we are suffering with no salaries, hospitals are collapsed etc #FreeHopewell #FreeJacob— Dr Peter Magombeyi (@DMagombeyi) July 21, 2020
It takes courage to be Zimbabwean. It takes hope to be passionate about this teapot. To tweet, retweet about it every day. To buy data and WiFi because of it.
Abuse is now normal to us. It’s inevitable. It’s going to happen somewhere, somehow. #FreeHopewell. @nelsonchamisa pic.twitter.com/CFdUte4J0x— sweetheart.zw (@zw_sweetheart) July 21, 2020
