ZRP officers first arrested Moses Gwaunza on Thursday night at his residence and detained him at Gweru Central Police Station on allegations that he participated in an illegal gathering on Thursday 11 October 2018.
On Friday 12 October 2018, ZRP officers arrested two more ZCTU officers Charles Chikozho, the ZCTU
Administrator in Gweru and Bernard Sibanda, the ZCTU’s District Secretary, who were charged together
with Gwaunza for participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry as defined in section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The arrest of the three ZCTU leaders in Gweru brings to 42 the number of ZCTU leaders and members
arrested since Thursday 11 October 2018. Out of the 42, 12 in Masvingo were released late Thursday while 20 in Mutare are currently appearing at Mutare Magistrates Court facing charges of participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry in contravention of section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. In Harare, seven ZCTU leaders are currently appearing at Harare Magistrates Court, charged with disorderly conduct in a public place as defined in section 41 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
As a nation we seem to take one step forward followed by three or more step backward. The government is ill advised arresting ZCTU members!