Solidarity messages for Munyaradzi Gwisai of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) and the 44 others who have been charged with treason continue to pour in. Here are a few more:

• Inotambika Boyz. Ibhora rembabvu ukatsikwa unogona kuputika chigunwe but still ibhora mberi.
• The detention of the 45 people is unwarranted and does not merely show that the regime is desperate but also clearly shows its repressive and autocratic nature. The people have freedom of expression and association and nobody, however great and powerful, should deprive them of their inalienable rights.
• Mugabe should understand he doesn’t own this country and people no longer like him and his band of thugs. He should free all political prisoners or he faces our unarmed wrath now.
• We are praying for you guys. God is up there. One day He will say enough is enough. We support you.
• This is total madness and a desperate move by Zanu PF. I condemn the treason charge.
• The earth belongs to the people not to the leaders, so does this country. The Lord will appoint a redeemer – Judges v 1-25
• It’s our right to know what goes around because it also comes around.
• We condemn the arrest and detention of activists as the suppression of human rights at its worst.
• That’s total abuse of human rights at the highest level.
• Release the detained. Zimbabwe is not a chieftainship we are a (democracy). The treason crap is Satanic.
• No way these people must be released. Rule of law must be used.
• I commend Mr Gwisai and the rest of the detainees for having the initiative to want to change our Zimbabwe situation. Keep the faith.
• It’s strange that people who claim to have liberated us still use repression against us. What are they afraid of? People power rules supreme.
• There is no freedom or democracy.
• Zim dictatorship is now panicking they can only delay but not stop a revolution.
• Enough is enough to dictatorship. Our God will help us get freedom even through the Egyptian style. It’s high time we should unite against dictatorship.
• I support you all.
• On the subject of “The 45″ my deep concern is that there is NOTHING comming from the Prime Minister OR the Minister of Home Affairs. Although the MDC has submitted a strong statement the question arises what about the Governments stance.Have they forgotten who put them where they are and for what?
• Kuvhunduka chatikwara hunge une katurike. Vanotyeyi vanosungira vanhu kuona vidio kana firimu raanoda?

The update from the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) below provides a heart-felt update on the case of Munyaradzi Gwisai and the 44 others who have been charged with treason:

Update – 2 March 2011

We do appreciate all your efforts in solidarity with our detained comrades. we have noticed a number of solidarity protests, messages, statements and financial and material assistance from you comrades. We greatly appreciate that. Here is an update of what’s going on in respect of the matter.

The matter went before the magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi yesterday (Day 11). As previously the state was represented by Nyazamba and Mthombeni and our very comrades were represented by Alec Muchadehama being assisted by Mandevere Marufu. The matter began by the state cross-examining Cde Munyaradzi Gwisai, followed by the evidence of Antonater Tafadzwa Choto and Mascilne Zvomuya who were also cross-examined by the state. It was an interesting moment comrades. Mr Muchadehama made a conclusion after the evidence of his witnesses and the prosecution was given a chance to respond. That’s when the problem began. The prosecutor said he wanted time to research on the authorities cited by defence lawyer and added that his response was voluminous but the magistrate indicated that the matter was to be concluded since he will be not available for the rest of the week.

We adjourned for an hour and finally the matter was postponed to Monday 07/03/11. You could witness sorrow on the faces of the families who came expecting the release of their relatives and friends. The accused are therefore still in custody. Defence counsel however insisted that those who need medical attention, particularly those who are HIV positive and those who were tortured by police must be medically examined by doctors of their own choice and that order was granted by the magistrate and that it should be done in line with prison regulations.

The magistrate therefore will grant his determination on Monday but please note that the accused are not yet on remand and that this not yet the trial. If they are placed on remand they will have to apply for bail at the High Court. These proceedings are merely preliminary. The magistrate’s court has no jurisdiction over treason cases. The magistrate is to give a ruling on whether there was reasonable suspicion or not at the time of the arrest. If there was reasonable suspicion then the accused will be placed on remand, if there was no reasonable suspicion then the accused will be released because the arrest will be ruled unlawful. The defence lawyers are refusing the accused being placed on remand since there was no reasonable suspicion and no crime was committed. That ruling will be on Monday.

We visited the male prison after the court session to give them food only to be told that we were late so we failed to serve them.

We have received more text messages expressing support for Munyaradzi Gwisai of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) and the 44 others who have been charged with treason:

• Absurd it is and I condemn it in the strongest manner possible. Asi kuenda kwemukuru shingai varume we are with you in spirit.
• ‘Let my people go.’ Exodus 5 v. 2 History is on our side! Age is on our side! People are on our side! God is on our side! The people shall govern!
• Under these very difficult circumstances I wish you courage, faith, patience and humour.
• The world has eyes. Nothing is going to happen to the 45 detained on false treason charges.
• No rule of law, no democracy, no peace, no justice. It’s high time we should take to the streets and demonstrate against dictatorship.
• Let us pray for them. God is for the oppressed. One day he will free his oppressed people. Let’s have faith in him.
• I support them because they are driving towards human, civil, political, social and economic rights.
• We must be free to choose our favourite leaders.
• Vicious regimes are destined to fall. We’ve the strong conviction to free our nation. Let’s fight on guys.
• The Almighty God is watching. You will conquer. Keep the wheels of change rolling. We are with you.
• Those who arrested the 45 are the ones who are committing treason.
• Free the 45 now! – Batanai
• To those imprisoned we want you to know that we serve a God of infinite justice. Be encouraged. We will pray for you and hold you in our hearts. – Nan
• An injury to one is an injury to all. We are with them wherever they are. We will stand with them.
• This is not fair. This is inhuman. We are sick and tired with these perpetrators. We people should stand bold enough to conquer this evil doing.
• Free the 45 now!
• All I can say to Robert and his cowboys is: Please give peace a chance!
• We will continue with this abuse if we maintain this obedience and faithfulness of pet dogs.

Tonight will be the 12th night in custody for Munyaradzi Gwisai of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) and the 44 others who have been charged with treason.

I’ve just watched the most gorgeous sunset. Free the 45 now. They deserve to get to watch the sunset too.

Find below a statement from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, following yesterday’s proceedings in the Magistrate’s Court. Munyaradzi Gwisai of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) and 44 other detainees have been charged with treason for watching a video of recent events in Egypt and discussing it. They have been in custody since Saturday 19 February. A ruling on the application for refusal of placement on remand by the lawyer for the accused, Alec Muchadehama, is expected Monday 7 March. By that point the detainees will have spent 16 nights in custody.

Magistrate orders examination and treatment of detainees pending determination of remand proceedings

Harare Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi on Tuesday 1 March 2011 ordered prison authorities to allow private medical practitioners to examine and treat 45 social and human rights activists who were subjected to torture while in police custody and those whose health has been compromised as a result of disruption to the administration of their medication.

Magistrate Mutevedzi ordered prison authorities to allow the detainees to be attended to by doctors of their own choice after the prison doctor refused to examine and treat detainees as had been ordered by the Court.

The Magistrate said this should be done in conformity with prison regulations and the examination and treatment should be conducted at the Zimbabwe Prison Service (ZPS) institutions.

The order came after defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama advised the court that his clients were only attended to by a nurse instead of doctors as had been ordered by the court on Thursday 24 February 2011

Muchadehama protested that his clients were denied medical examination and treatment as had been ordered when the detainees last appeared in court last week and his clients had been exposed to life-threatening conditions as a result.

The human rights lawyer had requested that his clients be attended to by doctors of their own choice at private medical institutions or at a government hospital such as Parirenyatwa Hospital.

But Magistrate Mutevedzi ordered prison officials to allow the detainees to be attended to by doctors of their choice in compliance with prison regulations.

The Magistrate deferred his ruling on an application for refusal of placement on remand for the 45 human rights activists which was filed on Thursday 24 February 2011 and which was opposed by the State, represented by Edmore Nyazamba and Dumisani Mthombeni.

Magistrate Mutevedzi said he will deliver his ruling on Monday 7 March 2011 because he will not be available in court from Wednesday 2 March 2011 up to Friday 4 March 2011, as he would be attending to some prior commitments.

Muchadehama led evidence from two witnesses Antonater Choto and Masline Zvomuya, who both denied plotting to subvert the government or committing treason as alleged by the State.

Zvomuya stated that she was not part of the people who were attending the International Socialist Organisation (ISO) meeting but was arrested while retailing mobile phone handsets and airtime in her office which is located at Cross Roads building from where the social and human rights activists were arrested while attending a lecture.

At the Magistrate’s court in Harare today, the case of Munyaradzi Gwisai of the International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe) and 44 activists who have been arrested and charged with treason for watching and discussing a DVD of material about recent political events in Egypt continued.

The court is currently hearing an application for refusal of placement on remand by the lawyer for the accused, Alec Muchadehama of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Today the court heard Gwisai be cross examined by the prosecution, and also herd testimony from Antonater Choto and from a woman who sells airtime in the building and was caught up in events when the police raided the meeting.

The state was then expected to present its response to Muchadehama’s application. However, it argued that its submissions were lengthy, and the court agreed to receive them in writing.

The Magistrate then reported that he is unavailable to hear the matter for the rest of the week – and can only resume the case next week Monday. All 45 accused have been remanded in custody until at least that date. By next week Monday, they will have spent 16 nights in custody.