By Leonnel Mhuka
Yesterday, human rights activist and Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) leader Obert Masaraure was convicted of defeating and obstructing the course of justice. He was scheduled to appear today at Harare Magistrates Court for sentencing.
At 9 am today, Obert Masaraure appeared at Harare Magistrates Court for the mitigation and aggravation hearing. However, the court session was postponed to tomorrow at 9 AM for the final sentencing.
He was arrested for the offence on July 8, 2022, after he posted on the social media platform, demanding the release of fellow activist Robson Chere.
Chere had been arrested in connection with the mysterious death of ARTUZ member Roy Issa, who reportedly fell from the seventh floor of a Harare hotel.
An inquest into the death of Issa ruled out foul play. However, the Police reopened the case and filed murder charges against Masaraure and Chere.
This case is one of the many instances where ZANU-PF uses the police and the courts to persecute by prosecution opposing voices. Masaraure and the ARTUZ remain among the leading workers’ representatives who have stood firm against Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.
While other workers’ union leaders have sold out the struggle for a better working environment in the country to ZANU-PF, Mr. Masaraure has remained steadfast and genuine, holding the government to account and pushing for the betterment of workers and their working conditions.
