Harare(Zimbabwe), September 28: A prominent human rights activists and her co-accused cannot be tried — now or in the future — on terror charges because they were beaten and tortured in jail, Zimbabwe’s chief justice ruled Monday.
Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku said he was issuing a permanent stay of prosecution in the case of Jestina Mukoko and eight other defendants because the government of President Robert Mugabe had violated her constitutional rights. Mukoko sobbed with joy in the courtroom, telling reporters later it is a “happy day for me and my family
“I’m going home to rest. I thank God for everybody who supported me.”
Accusations that Mukoko and the others had been plotting to overthrow Mugabe had been widely denounced as trumped up and politically motivated. Neighboring governments have said they believe the allegations were baseless.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai had spoken out on Mukoko’s behalf, saying the case undermined the coalition his former opposition party formed with Mugabe earlier this year.
The defendants had included members of Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change, and some Zimbabweans had speculated the case was being pursued to pressure Tsvangirai to make concessions, or by Mugabe hard-liners to create tension in the unity government.
Mukoko testified during a bail hearing that she had been tortured and assaulted during detention. The defendants had bloodied, swollen faces during court appearances late last year.
—Agencies