Prominent lawyers arrested

Zimbabwean rights lawyers Doug Coltart and Tapiwa Muchineripi have been arrested at a Harare hospital and charged with obstructing the course of justice. They were trying to help Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) local councillor Womberaishe Nhende and CCC member Sonele Mukhuhlane who had been abducted and tortured in the city following the contested election. Magistrate Dennis Mangosi yesterday freed the pair after asking them to deposit $100 each or its equivalence in the local currency and ordered them to report to the police once a week and not to interfere with state witnesses. The Daily Maverick reports that they were told to return to court on 3 October when the magistrate is expected to rule on their application for refusal of further remand, which their lawyers said they would submit in writing. They will then return to court on 20 October when the court is expected to rule on the lawfulness of their arrest. CCC Senator David Coltart, who is Doug Coltart’s father and also a human rights lawyer, has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa – who was one of very few leaders to attend Mnangagwa’s inauguration on Monday – to condemn the assaults on CCC office bearers and supporters.

Full Daily Maverick report