Detentions condemned
NZPA-Reuter Harare Zimbabwe’s emergency detention procedures were implicitly condemned in the High Court for the second time in two weeks yesterday when a prominent opposition figure was ordered to be released from custody. Mr Justice John Pittman ruled that the long detention without trial of Dumiso Dabengwa, one of the most popular politicians in the south-western province of Matabeleland, was illegal and ordered his release.
The High Court decision was similar to that given on October 26 in favour of a member of Parliament Vote Moyo, a close colleague of Mr Dabengwa’s in the opposition Zimbabwe African People’s Union of Joshua Nkomo. It was handed down as another opposition
deputy, Bishop Abel Muzorewa, entered his second week in detention.
There was no immediate Government reaction to the High Court decision on Mr Dabengwa, aged 43, a senior aide of Mr Nkomo’s, and a top guerrilla leader in the Rhodesian civil war which preceded independence for Zimbabwe in 1980.
Mr Dabengwa has been held under emergency powers since being acquitted of treason charges in April.
His counsel argued successfully that the detention should be nullified ’ because his case had not been submitted to a review tribunal within 30 days of his being ordered held, as required bv thafConstitution. W Moyo, Z.A.P.U.’s administrative secretary, had
his detention declared invalid by the same Court. But the Government responded that the illegal order had been replaced by a new one under which Mr Moyo would stay in prison indefinitely. Robert Mugabe’s Government has been plagued by unrest in Matabeleland, Z.A.P.U.’s power base, since Mr Nkomo was dismissed from the coalition Cabinet last year. He was accused of plotting a coup, which he denied.
Mr Dabengwa, the Army’s former deputy commander, Lieutenant - General “Lookout” Masuku, and four other Z.A.P.U. officials were seized and charged with treason and possession of arms- They were acquitted by tnp High Court but immediately redetained. <.
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Press, 10 November 1983, Page 8
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317Detentions condemned Press, 10 November 1983, Page 8
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