OUTRAGE AND OUTCRY: JOURNALIST’S ORDEAL EXPOSES ABUSE OF POWER IN ZIMBABWE
By: Desire Tshuma
Harare, Zimbabwe – A shocking sequence of events has left journalist Shingirai Vambe questioning the integrity of Zimbabwe’s institutions, after being arrested and detained on trumped-up rape charges allegedly linked to his investigation into police misconduct.
Vambe, Editor of Post On Sunday, detailed how his ordeal began while following up on a case involving a woman battling abuse from her former husband. The woman was arrested and detained overnight after a confrontation with a police officer at Rusape court, only to be cleared without charge the next day.
Hours later, Vambe was arrested at 4am, accused of raping a 22-year-old woman who claimed he gave her a lift in his car. The allegations, which he denies, appear to have been made after he questioned the police officer’s conduct in the woman’s case.
“I maintain that I have never met the complainant and that the allegation is false,” Vambe said. “What troubles me most is the timing, the sequence of events, and the manner in which the law was applied.”
Vambe condemned the actions, saying, “This is a clear case of institutionalised abuse of power, meant to silence those who dare to speak out against injustice.”
The arrest has sparked outrage, with calls for an investigation into the police officer’s conduct and the circumstances surrounding the rape allegations.
The matter remains pending, with Vambe determined to clear his name and expose the alleged misuse of the criminal justice system.
