The Southern African Development Community Lawyers Association (SADC-LA) has condemned the Zimbabwean government following a police attack on a lawyer, who was representing 25 opposition supporters that were arrested in Harare while attending a meeting at a party member’s house.
In a statement, the SADC-LA urged the government to investigate the attack, saying it violated the lawyer and his clients’ constitutional rights.
“SADC-LA deeply and strongly condemns the attack on lawyer Mr. Kudzai Kadzere in Harare, Zimbabwe, by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on the 14th of January 2023. On the said date, Mr. Kadzere was representing his clients who are members of a political party in Zimbabwe and he was acting within the scope of his mandate as a licensed legal practitioner of the courts of Zimbabwe. The right to legal representation is guaranteed in the constitution of Zimbabwe.”
The SADC-LA said the perpetration of violence by police on an unarmed civilian acting in a profession capacity to uphold the constitutional rights of other citizens presents the highest disregard for the rule of law.
“SADC-LA implores the government of Zimbabwe and the responsible Ministers to swiftly ensure protection of lawyers and other key stakeholders such as journalists in the discharge of their mandate. Further, to hold to account those responsible for the unsanctioned violation of Mr. Kadzere and and his clients’ constitutionally enshrined rights.
Members of the Law Society of Zimbabwe visiting Kudzai Kadzere in hospital.
“The acute escalation of violence in a period shortly preceeding a crucial election for Zimbabwe warrants deep concern. SADC-LA calls on SADC and AU (African Union) to provide swift and adequate support to the Government of Zimbabwe, and relevant stakeholders to ensure a neutral environment for enforcement and enjoyment of all human rights.”
SADC-LA said this is in accordance with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers as well as Zimbabwe’s own constitution.
At the same time, the Law Society of Zimbabwe Council met on Monday afternoon following the brutal assault on Kadzere.
In a tweet, the LSZ said, “Council was unanimous in condemning the attack.”
The LSZ president Wellington Magaya on Monday lead a delegation that visited Kadzere in hospital.
Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, and Information Secretary Nick Mangwana were unreachable for comment as they were not responding to calls on their mobile phones.