Metro

Zimbabwe charges 39 activists with political violence as rights groups kick

Published

11 months ago

June 13, 2023

As the countdown to August elections hots up in Zimbabwe, authorities have charged 39 opposition activists with alleged political violence over the demolishing of an office belonging to the ruling party, ZANU-PF Party in Nyatsime, south of the capital, last week.

State prosecutors told the court that the group had also attacked and “destroyed several houses and also assaulted members of the Nyatsime community thereby causing massive destruction to property and inflicted serious injuries on them.”

However, human rights activists have kicked against the charges, insisting that the move was part of plans by the ZANU-PF to clampdown on rights groups and opposition parties ahead of the election.

“Our clients were not even at the scene,” Anesu Chirisa, a legal lead at Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, an umbrella group representing the 39 suspects, told journalists.

The activists were arrested over the weekend and on Monday, briefly arraigned before a local court and were remanded in custody after investigating authorities called for a lengthy custodial sentence, Chirisa said.

He said members of the group were supporters of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Zimbabwe’s leading opposition party.

Opposition figures have continued to accuse President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government of using the courts to target opposition politicians with arbitrary arrests, detention without trial and repression.

Earlier in June, five CCC activists were held on various charges including assault after an alleged altercation at a voter registration centre.

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Metro

Disability rights group says Cyber Security Act protects politicians more than vulnerable citizens

Published

5 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

In Kasama, the Disability Inclusion-Friendly Barn Development Foundation, dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, says the Cyber Security Act primarily benefits politicians rather than ordinary citizens, particularly those with disabilities.

Amos Chileshe, the Chief Executive Director of the organisation, conveyed these concerns in an interview with Zambia Monitor.

Chileshe emphasized the Foundation’s focus on child welfare, including screening and assessment programmes tailored to children with disabilities.

He highlighted the alarming prevalence of cyberbullying targeting this vulnerable demographic, often overlooked by mainstream media.

“Despite our efforts to provide counseling and support services,” Chileshe lamented, “many instances of cyberbullying against individuals with disabilities remain unaddressed, unlike cases involving public figures.”

He underscored the disparity in media coverage, noting the tendency to portray persons with disabilities negatively, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, perpetuating stigma and shame, particularly in rural areas.

Calling for the safeguarding of individuals with disabilities online, Chileshe urged authorities to take decisive action against cyberbullying, stating its detrimental impact on their well-being.

Regarding media freedoms, Chileshe advocated for unrestricted licensing of media outlets to ensure comprehensive nationwide coverage.

“Media freedom is essential for democracy, development, and human rights.

“When people are denied the freedom to express themselves, constructive criticism becomes impossible, hindering progress and accountability,” he said.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

Nigerian govt denies bribery allegation by Binance CEO

Published

11 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Nigerian government has countered allegations by the CEO of cryptocurrency exchange giant, Binance, Richard Teng, that some government officials demanded a $150m bribe to settle the ongoing criminal charge filed against the firm.

In a publication carried by by the New York Times on Tuesday, Teng had alleged that unknown persons made the bribe demand to Binance officials shortly after they held a meeting with Nigerian lawmakers on January 8.

In the article, Teng accused the unidentified individuals of acting on behalf of government officials to demand $150m in cryptocurrency to resolve the tax evasion and money laundering case against the company and its officials.

Teng also claimed that the purported agent demanded “a significant payment in cryptocurrency to be paid in secret within 48 hours to make the issues go away.”

But in a statement on Wednesday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as blackmail aimed at tarnishing the image of the country.

The Minister further dismissed the claims as “baseless and part of a wider attempt by Binance to evade accountability for alleged criminal activities.”

The minister noted that ongoing investigations against Binance in Nigeria centred on allegations of money laundering, terrorism financing, and illegal trading activities facilitated through its platform, stressing that it would not succumb to blackmail or coercion.

“This claim by Binance CEO lacks an iota of substance. It is nothing but a diversionary tactic and an attempted act of blackmail by a company desperate to obfuscate the grievous criminal charges it is facing in Nigeria,” Idris said.

“They lack any evidence and are merely a diversionary tactic employed by Binance to deflect attention from the serious charges it faces in the country.

“We would like to remind Binance that it will not clear its name in Nigeria by resorting to fictional claims and mudslinging media campaigns. The only way to resolve its issues will be by submitting itself to unobstructed investigation and judicial due process.

“The Nigerian government, therefore, pledged to address the legal issues surrounding Binance operations in the country.

“The government of Nigeria will continue to act within its laws and international norms and will not succumb to any form of blackmail from any entity, local or foreign,” the Minister added.