Welcome to Africanews

Please select your experience

Watch Live

News

news

Spokesperson for Zimbabwean veterans arrested after Mugabe criticism

Zimbabwe

The spokesperson of the Veterans Association of Zimbabwe has been arrested and charged with subversion on Thursday after criticizing President Robert Mugabe in a communique last week.

Human rights lawyers in Zimbabwe confirmed the arrest of Douglas Mahiya saying he was picked up on Wednesday night together with the General Secretary of the veterans Victor Matemadanda.

A communique supposedly from Zimbabwean war veterans last week stated the group’s withdrawal of support for Mugabe in his bid for another term in office due to the failing economy.

The government described the communique as ‘traitorous and treasonable’ while promising to take disciplinary action.

Another section of the veterans denounced the communique and on Wednesday, Mugabe met them to condemn the people allegedly “trying to cause chaos in the country including the West through their ambassadors”.

The group of lawyers who announced the arrest of Douglas Mahiya said his charges includes insulting the president, but they don’t know that of the General Secretary Victor Matemadanda.

A series of protests hit Zimbabwe in recent times against the country’s failing economy while others were in support of the government which blames Western sanctions for its woes.

View more