PEN Africa Centres call for the immediate release of #TsitsiDangarembga who was arrested and detained yesterday. Pen Zimbabwe, @pen_southafrica PEN Malawi, PEN Uganda, @NadiaDavids9 @pen_nigeria @PenAfrikaans 
PEN Centres are greatly concerned by the arrest and detention of #TsitsiDangarembga whose work is widely known. @efie41209591 was arrested while peacefully protesting corruption in #Zimbabwe
She joins award-winning journalist #HopewellChinono as the latest high profile writer to be detained as Zimbabwean security agencies crack down on anti corruption demonstrators.
While the harassment of writers is of grave concern because of our mandate, we are equally appalled at the situation of dozens of ordinary Zimbabweans whose voices have been silenced in recent times and who have also been detained
Like others around the world we at PEN Africa centres are horrified by footage circulating of police beating citizens. We condemn the actions of an emboldened security apparatus in the strongest terms.
The human rights situation in Zimbabwe has deteriorated in recent months as authorities have operated with increasing impunity under the cover of COVID.
Using lockdown restrictions as a pretext to violate basic rights and manage information in light of serious concerns about corruption the Mnangagwa government has continued the brutal legacy of Mugabe.
We demand the immediate release of #HopewellChinono and #TsitsiDangarembga and all others arbitrarily arrested and detained.
We stand in solidarity with Zimbabwe’s people in this time of crisis.
She has been released!
