Case History: Elizabeth Manavira
On 23 September 2015 three members of the Masvingo Residents Trust (MRT), Messrs Prosper Tirigingi, Ephraim Mutombeni and Ms Elizabeth Manavira appeared before the Masvingo Provincial Magistrate Court for the first hearing of their trial concerning the charges of malicious damage of property and public gathering intended to promote public violence. The trial will continue on 1 October 2015, when the Court is expected to rule on the case.
On 15 July 2016 charges were dropped against Elizabeth Manavira.
Elizabeth Manavira is Chairperson of Masvingo Residents Trust (MRT), a human rights organisation campaigning for public accountability and adequate service delivery in Masvingo province in south-east Zimbabwe.
On 23 September 2015 three members of the Masvingo Residents Trust (MRT), Messrs Prosper Tirigingi, Ephraim Mutombeni and Ms Elizabeth Manavira appeared before the Masvingo Provincial Magistrate Court for the first hearing of their trial concerning the charges of malicious damage of property and public gathering intended to promote public violence. The trial will continue on 1 October 2015, when the Court is expected to rule on the case.
On 23 September 2015 the human rights defenders were brought before the Masvingo Provincial Magistrate Court. Prosper Tirigingi, Ephraim Mutombeni and Elizabeth Manavira were arrested on 25 August 2015 following a demonstration organised by MRT to demand transparency, accountability and good governance from the Masvingo City Council. They were formally charged with malicious damage of property and public gathering intended to promote violence under the controversial Public Order and Security Act. They were released on bail on 27 August 2015.
The demonstration which they had helped to organise called for accountability in relation to development funds from Germany in 2013 estimated at 10,000 US dollars, which were received by the Masvingo City Council. The funds were to be used to improve the social-economical situation of communities in south-east Zimbabwe by supporting projects to reduce poverty and support sustainable development.
At the time of their arrest, the human rights defenders were marching peacefully from the Chitima Musika area to the Civic Centre when police officials intercepted them. They were taken to the Masvingo Central Police station where they were held for two nights.
