Defend Truth

Zimbabwe Supreme Court restores democratic thinking

Zimbabwe Supreme Court restores democratic thinking

There’s not much that’s right with Zimbabwe, but occasionally something happens that almost makes it look as if democracy is alive and well, even if the reasons are less than savoury. One such event has been a Supreme Court ruling that the government cannot prosecute a leading human rights activist who was abducted from her home and tortured in numerous secret locations. The state claimed Jestina Mukoko was guilty of an anti-government plot, but Reuters reports that Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku said the state, through its agents, violated the her constitutional rights to the extent that this entitled her to a permanent stay of criminal prosecution. In a country where people are routinely arrested, beaten up and sometimes murdered, the ruling could set a potent precedent preventing authorities from arbitrarily keeping activists in jail.

Gallery

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

A South African Hero: You

There’s a 99.8% chance that this isn’t for you. Only 0.2% of our readers have responded to this call for action.

Those 0.2% of our readers are our hidden heroes, who are fuelling our work and impacting the lives of every South African in doing so. They’re the people who contribute to keep Daily Maverick free for all, including you.

The equation is quite simple: the more members we have, the more reporting and investigations we can do, and the greater the impact on the country.

Be part of that 0.2%. Be a Maverick. Be a Maverick Insider.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options