On 21 May 2010, police raided the offices of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) in Milton Park, Harare, and arrested human rights defenders Ms Ellen Chademana and Mr Ignatius Muhamba, both employees of GALZ. GALZ is an association founded in 1990 that advocates social tolerance for sexual minorities and the repeal of homophobic legislation in Zimbabwe.

Further Information

On 21 May 2010, police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) entered the GALZ offices in Milton Park, Harare, purportedly to search for dangerous narcotics and pornographic material, citing contravention of Section 157 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23 and Section 32 (1) of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act, Chapter 10:04.

The officers confiscated office equipment including computers, records and banners, and allege to have seized pornographic material which they claim to be holding as evidence for the case. In the process, GALZ employees Ellen Chademana, a receptionist, and Ignatius Muhamba, an accountant, were arrested.

As of 25 May, Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Muhamba remain in detention despite concerns for the health of Ellen Chademana, who is diabetic. Furthermore, both human rights defenders were denied access to their lawyers on 22 May 2010.

It is reported that they were formally charged on 24 May 2010, with an added charge of “undermining the office of the President”. The latter was reportedly brought after the police noticed, in GALZ offices, a plaque of former San Francisco Mayor Willie Lewis Brown in which he denounces the alleged President Robert Mugabe’s homophobia against gays and lesbians.

The police were expected to bring the two human rights defenders before the court on 24 May, but failed to do so. It is reported that they might appear in court tomorrow, 26 May.

Front Line believes that the raid on the offices of GALZ and the arrest of Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Muhamba are a direct result of their legitimate work in defence of human rights. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Ellen Chademana and Ignatus Muhamba in detention, and of other GALZ members.