Pregnant woman, toddler detained during protest re...

Pregnant woman, toddler detained during protest released

Philemon Jambaya

Zimbabwean authorities have been criticised for detaining a toddler and a pregnant woman alongside villagers protesting alleged maladministration at a school in Honde Valley.

On March 6, Zimbabwe Republic Police officers detained a three-year-old child, their 58-year-old grandmother, a pregnant woman, and four other villagers. They were accused of disorderly conduct stemming from a protest against the headmaster of Sagambe Primary School, Evans Mwaturura.

The villagers reportedly raised concerns regarding alleged mismanagement by Mwaturura during a School Development Committee meeting. Seeking further action, they requested a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

During the meeting with Ministry officials, a pregnant woman, Esther Kuseri, was arrested for allegedly raising her voice towards an official. Human rights lawyer Tatenda Sigauke intervened, and Kuseri was released after paying a fine for disorderly conduct.

Another villager, Noel Chikosa, the former SDC chairperson, faced a separate charge of intending to incite violence through a list of grievances presented against the headmaster.

Lawyer Sigauke successfully argued for the release of the remaining villagers, including the toddler, at the Mutasa Magistrates’ Courts on March 8. Prosecutors agreed and released the individuals without further charges, although they reserved the right to summon them in the future.