SW Radio Africa (London)
Lance Guma
12 May 2008
The two top leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) were on Monday denied bail by a Harare magistrate.
President Lovemore Matombo and Secretary General Wellington Chibhebhe were arrested last week Thursday after handing themselves in to police. The two are being accused of 'inciting people to rise against government,' during May Day speeches they made at the Dzivarasekwa Stadium in Harare.
They were remanded in custody to May 23. Their lawyer Alec Muchadehama immediately launched an appeal with the High Court. Reports quoting acting information officer Last Tarabuku said the presiding magistrate argued that the two were not eligible for bail and would remain in custody in the interest of justice. This also followed arguments by prosecutors that if granted bail Matombo and Chibhebhe would abscond.
Police have said that the two ZCTU leaders are being subject to "intensive interrogation".
The arrests are being viewed as part of a wider crackdown targeting trade unionists, lawyers, journalists and opposition activists. Matombo and Chibhebhe were arrested on a Thursday, denied a hearing on Friday to ensure they spent the weekend in custody. The denial of bail ensures they spend more time in custody. In politically motivated cases such as this the state never secures a conviction and relies on the prolonged incarceration as a form of punishment.
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