Free Jestina Mukoko

Human rights activist, journalist and director of The Zimbabwe Peace Project, Jestina Mukoko, was abducted Wednesday 3rd of December at approximately 05:00 AM.

Barefooted and in pyjamas she was taken away by a group of 12-15 men, claiming to be policemen, in two unmarked cars. She has not been seen since. Her son was the only eyewitness.

Nothing was known of her whereabouts until she showed up in court the 24th of December, where she - a long with 9 others - was met with charges of recruiting or attempting to recruit people for undergoing military training with the purpose of overthrowing the government. A crime that carries the death penalty in Zimabwe.

Jestina Mukoko is a leading member of Zimbabwean civil society, and Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has been one of the most persistent watchdogs of politically motivated violence in Zimbabwe in 2008 - and during previous elections. ZZP has been a credible source of reports on political violence, which has been - and still is - comitted in Zimbabwe.

According to Jestinas lawyer she is psychologically traumatized, and there are suspicions that she has been tortured and fed drugs. The 5th of January a judge ordered that Jestina must receive medical attention before the case can proceed.

State security minister Didymus Mutasa has stated in court documents that agents of the state security apparatus were involved in the kidnapping of Jestina Mukoko and other civic society activists. The 6rd of January a Zimbawean magistrate court postponed the proceedings until the legality of the arrest and detention has been heard by a superior court.

Help spread the word to show your support for Jestina and the other abductees!
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Free Jestina Mukoko

Human rights activist, journalist and director of The Zimbabwe Peace Project, Jestina Mukoko, was abducted Wednesday 3rd of December at approximately 05:00 AM.

Barefooted and in pyjamas she was taken away by a group of 12-15 men, claiming to be policemen, in two unmarked cars. She has not been seen since. Her son was the only eyewitness.

Nothing was known of her whereabouts until she showed up in court the 24th of December, where she - a long with 9 others - was met... (read more)