On Sunday, Jameson Timba, leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change faction, faced a dramatic turn of events. Timba, his 19-year-old son, and nearly 70 other party activists were arrested while gathered at his residence in Avondale, Harare. The police were acting on a tip-off.The group had assembled at Timba’s home to commemorate International Youth Day, a day that marks the June 16 Soweto Uprising. According to his lawyer, Agency Gumbo, the gathering broke no laws. “They violated no law,” Gumbo insisted.
However, police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi had a different story. He confirmed the arrests, stating, “I can confirm that 70 suspects were arrested at Jameson Timba’s house in Harare for conducting an unsanctioned gathering. Police, who were acting on a tip-off, raided the house leading to the arrests. During the arrests, they became violent and started throwing stones at the police officers. Reinforcements were later called in.”
Former Mt Pleasant MP Fadzayi Mahere, who visited Timba, described the chaotic scene. She revealed that Timba was not at home when the riot police arrived. He had lent his house to youth activists for the private commemoration, which was to include a braai and other youth-focused activities. Timba was away celebrating Father’s Day with his son, who is about to attend university in the United States.
Mahere recounted the sequence of events: “He left them at it while he went to celebrate Father’s Day with his son who is about to go to university in the United States. He then received a call a while later to be told armed riot police had blocked off his home and thrown teargas into his garden.”Timba rushed back home with his son only to find the police in action. They were arresting everyone present at his home, including tenants uninvolved in the gathering and people merely walking by. “They were beaten severely with baton sticks. He was arrested on arrival,” Mahere added.
The situation escalated quickly as the police responded to the gathering, which they deemed unsanctioned. The commemoration, meant to honor International Youth Day, turned into a scene of chaos and violence. The police claimed that the attendees became violent, leading to a tense confrontation.
The arrests and the police’s actions have sparked outrage and concern among many. The severity of the response and the use of force on what was described as a peaceful gathering have raised questions. The event was supposed to be a simple commemoration with food and activities for the youth. Instead, it ended in a clash with authorities.Timba’s arrest, along with his son and others, highlights the tense political climate in Harare. The Citizens Coalition for Change and its supporters face significant challenges, as evidenced by this incident. The use of force by the police and the subsequent arrests have drawn attention to the treatment of political activists and the restrictions on gatherings.
As the news spreads, many are calling for a review of the police’s actions and the reasons behind the arrests. The incident at Timba’s residence has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle for political freedom and the right to peaceful assembly.In the aftermath, the focus shifts to the legal proceedings and the response from various political and human rights groups. The events of that Sunday serve as a stark reminder of the volatile environment in Harare and the challenges faced by those who seek to commemorate important historical events and advocate for change.