An independent Zimbabwean lawyers’ group says the continued detention of one of its top members, the country’s most prominent human rights attorney Beatrice Mtetwa, highlights the urgent need for reform of law enforcement, two days after a referendum on a new constitution to strengthen human rights.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human rights said Monday that a High Court judge, in a special overnight hearing, ordered Mtetwa’s release, but police refused to comply. Mtetwa was arrested Sunday, before dawn.
Mtetwa is charged with obstructing justice while representing four officials of the prime minister’s party, also arrested Sunday.
Irene Petras, director of the lawyers’ group, said the refusal Monday by police to free Mtetwa reinforces calls for a full overhaul of skewed policing before presidential elections later this year.