Urgent appeal for support after Zimbabwean socialists arrested

Zimbabwean police raided a meeting of the International Socialist Organisation on the revolt in the Middle East last Saturday, arresting 52 people. The students, union members and workers are still being detained at Harare Central prison.

Munyaradzi Gwisai, the director of the Labour Law Center, is among those detained. The Central Intelligence Organisation infiltrated the meeting, which was discussing the events in the Middle East and the fall of Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak.

According to reports they are being individually interrogated and some are being beaten. They have legal representation from the Zimbabwe Association of Human Rights, who should have answers about the exact charges that will be laid against them tomorrow morning.

Activists are calling for people to rush messages of protest against the arrests to the Zimbabwean authorities.

Send statements of protest to socialismfrombelow@gmail.com and copy to ashley_fataar@yahoo.co.uk and shanthabloemen@gmail.com.

Fax a copy to the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in London on 02073791167. You can also send it to zimlondon@yahoo.co.uk or Zimbabwe House, 429 Strand, London, WC2R 0QE. The Ambassador is Mr Gabriel Mharadze Machinga. Also phone :

– Wayne Bvudzijena (police spokesman) : +263 11 801 172 (mobile)

– Happyton Bonyongwe (Director of the Central Intelligence Organisation) : +263 4 497 849 (home)

– Patrick Chinamasa (minister of “Justice”) : 263 4 860 006 (home)

– President’s Office : +263 4 252 440 or +263 4 700 071

– Police Commisioner Augustine Chihuri : +263 4 250 008 (office) or +263 11 808 290 (mobile)

– Home Affairs (police) Minister Kembo Mohadi : +263 11 605 424 (mobile) or +263 4 794628 (office)

– State Security (C.I.O.) Minister Didymus Mutasa : +263 11 200 532 (mobile) or 263 4 774189 (office)

A campaign is now underway for the release of Zimbabwean democracy activists, who have been arrested, beaten and tortured. Please see the information below and spread the word far and wide, write a letter of solidarity and apply pressure for their release.
A facebook page has been set-up, which will help coordinate and keep you up-to-date
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_178601402184959&ap=1