Harare, Zimbabwe – Tensions rose yesterday as the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) reported the arrest of Mai Hondongwa, the wife of their Harare province secretary-general, Ronald Hondongwa.
Ronald Hondongwa is currently detained along with former opposition minister Jameson Timba and 77 other activists.
Mai Hondongwa was taken into custody outside the court premises while holding a placard demanding her husband’s release. The scene was marked by vocal protests, with activists and family members singing and calling for the freedom of their detained loved ones.
Ronald Hondongwa, a teacher living with a disability, is experiencing severe hardship in prison. According to Artuz, his condition requires assistance for basic needs such as eating and bathing, support typically provided by his wife.
The arrest of Mai Hondongwa has intensified concerns about the treatment of detained activists and the ongoing suppression of dissent. Artuz has highlighted the critical need for Hondongwa’s immediate release, citing his vulnerability and the inadequate conditions he faces behind bars.
The detention of Ronald Hondongwa, Jameson Timba, and the other activists has sparked widespread criticism and calls for justice. Mai Hondongwa’s arrest adds to the growing list of those affected by the crackdown on opposition figures and civil society members in Zimbabwe.
As the situation unfolds, human rights organizations and supporters continue to rally for the release of all detained activists, emphasizing the urgent need for humane treatment and due process. The arrest of an advocate peacefully demanding the release of her husband underscores the broader issues of political repression and the ongoing struggle for democratic freedoms in Zimbabwe.
