by Tendai Matunhu

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has snubbed representing MDC Secretary General Charlton Hwende in court following treason charges laid against him.

Posting on his twitter handle Hwende said, “We have now started the process of preparing for my upcoming Treason Trial. Mr Harrison Nkomo will be leading my defence and thanks to him for agreeing to represent me after ZLHR refused to take up my matter.”

Speaking to The Harare Post on condition of anonymity a Human Rights lawyer explained some of the reasons why the organisation was not going to represent Hwende.

“Treasonous behaviour is the opposite of advocating for human rights and I would not blame ZLHR on refusing to represent Hwende. I am sure ZLHR has a way of evaluating whether a case deserves to be represented by them.

“Just because a prominent opposition politician has allegations charged against him, this does not mean it is automatic they get representation. This case has the ability to put ZLHR on the bad spotlight because they will be meddling in politics as this case is treasonous,” said the Lawyer.

The Lawyer also said ZLHR is an organisation with sponsors and they dance according to their sponsors tune.

“Let us not forget that ZLHR is also an organisation that is sponsored by donor organisations for it to run. Without them they would not be this big and popular.  Sponsors play a big role in the running of an organisation,” he said.

Hwende fled to Namibia in March 2019 soon after the ill-fated January protests which saw massive looting and subsequent deaths of 17 civilians and police intensifying the arrest of MDC officials and civil society leaders accused of instigating these disturbances.