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MDC lawyer put under deadly surveillance
By MIRANDA DUBE
Published: Monday 23 February 2009
ZIMBABWE - HARARE - Two unidentified men are stalking MDC lawyer Alec Muchadehama, who is representing political prisoners who have become a bargaining chip in a high stakes political amnesty game.
The targeting of Muchadehama comes at a time his name has been circulating in the media circles that the MDC wanted him to take over as the new Attorney General. This revelation has rattled the incumbent AG, Johannes Tomana, who faces the axe amid mounting opposition clamour for his dismissal.
Muchadehama has said he would not take up the offer of the AG's job because he was doing just fine in private practice.
The motive for putting Muchadehama under deadly surveillance is not yet clear.
Two unidentified men have since late last week been stalking the human rights lawyer since he left Court 13 at the Rotten Row magistrate's court on Friday.
The two unidentified men suspected to be state security agents, followed Muchadehama to the main entrance of the court and stood within earshot as Muchadehama briefed Dr Francis Lovemore, one of the doctors who examined the detained political prisoners about proceedings in court, where Magistrate Gloria Takundwa had just ordered the immediate and urgent medical examination of the four detainees including Kisimusi Dhlamini, Regis Mujeyi, Mapfumo Garutsa and Andrisson Manyere, who appeared in court on February 20.
The two unidentified men had been in court meticulously taking notes during remand hearing proceedings, where Muchadehama successfully sought an order for the examination and treatment of the four detainees.
Muchadehama also successfully obtained an order compelling the State to give a trial date for the accused persons. Human rights lawyers are outraged at the deadly surveillance of their colleague.
"Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is greatly worried about the rising incidences of harassment and attacks against lawyers," said Irene Petras, head of the ZLHR. "This act of stalking was deliberately meant to spook Muchadehama. ZLHR condemns such clandestine acts by the unidentified men who distracted a legal practitioner who was executing his duties."
Efforts to obtain comment from National Security minister Sydney Sekeramayi were futile.
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