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American woman arrested in Zimbabwe over alleged Mugabe goblin tweet American woman arrested in Zimbabwe over alleged Mugabe goblin tweet
(35 minutes later)
Zimbabwean police have arrested a US citizen for allegedly insulting Robert Mugabe on Twitter, weeks after the president appointed a cybersecurity minister charged with policing social media.Zimbabwean police have arrested a US citizen for allegedly insulting Robert Mugabe on Twitter, weeks after the president appointed a cybersecurity minister charged with policing social media.
Martha O’Donovan was detained on Friday morning, a US embassy spokesman told the Associated Press. Her lawyer, Obey Shava, said police had not yet charged her but claimed that “tweets emanating from her IT address are insulting to the president”.Martha O’Donovan was detained on Friday morning, a US embassy spokesman told the Associated Press. Her lawyer, Obey Shava, said police had not yet charged her but claimed that “tweets emanating from her IT address are insulting to the president”.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, an activist group, said in a statement that the offending tweet referred to a “goblin whose wife and stepson bought a Rolls Royce”.Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, an activist group, said in a statement that the offending tweet referred to a “goblin whose wife and stepson bought a Rolls Royce”.
Police confiscated her laptop and transferred O’Donovan, who works for Harare-based Magamba TV, to the city’s central police station, ZLHR said. Police confiscated her laptop and transferred O’Donovan, who works for the Harare-based Magamba TV, to the city’s central police station, ZLHR said.
#Clampdown on social media: Zim makes 1st arrest after establishing Cyber Security ministry by apprehending @Martha_ODonovan of @MagambaTV#Clampdown on social media: Zim makes 1st arrest after establishing Cyber Security ministry by apprehending @Martha_ODonovan of @MagambaTV
The tweet did not refer to Mugabe by name, ZLHR said, but Mugabe’s stepson with his wife, Grace – Russell Goreraza – is thought to be the only individual to have recently imported two Rolls-Royce vehicles into the country, local media reported. The tweet did not refer to Mugabe by name, ZLHR said, but Russell Goreraza, who is Mugabe’s stepson with his wife, Grace, is thought to be the only individual to have recently imported two Rolls-Royce vehicles into the country, local media reported.
The British-built cars, both Rolls-Royce Ghosts that sell for about $220,000 (£170,000) and have a top speed of 155 miles per hour, are marketed by the manufacturer as “more measured, more realistic” than the $300,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom. The British-built cars, both Rolls-Royce Ghosts that sell for about $220,000 (£170,000) and have a top speed of 155mph, are marketed by the manufacturer as “more measured, more realistic” than the $300,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Goreraza is also reported to have purchased two Range Rover 4X4s, two Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousines and an Aston Martin, while Mrs Mugabe herself is also thought to have acquired a Rolls-Royce. Goreraza is also reported to have purchased two Range Rover 4X4s, two Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousines and an Aston Martin, while Grace Mugabe is also thought to have acquired a Rolls-Royce.
Footage of her son taking delivery of the vehicles prompted outrage when it was circulated on social media last month. Footage of Goreraza taking delivery of the vehicles prompted outrage when it was circulated on social media last month.
Police did not respond to calls for comment.Police did not respond to calls for comment.
There have been several arrests in recent years for actions deemed to undermine the president, although no one has ever been convicted.There have been several arrests in recent years for actions deemed to undermine the president, although no one has ever been convicted.
Last year ministers told Zimbabweans that statements posted on social media could be traced and might lead to punishment.Last year ministers told Zimbabweans that statements posted on social media could be traced and might lead to punishment.
A new wave of activists have used social media to organise protests against Mugabe’s rule. One of the most effective was the #ThisFlag movement last year which was organised by pastor Evan Mawarire. A new wave of activists have used social media to organise protests against Mugabe’s rule. One of the most effective was the #ThisFlag movement last year which was organised by the pastor Evan Mawarire.
George Charamba, a government spokesman, said in October that Mugabe had created the new ministerial post to deal with an “emerging threat to the state … a threat founded on abuse and unlawful conduct”.George Charamba, a government spokesman, said in October that Mugabe had created the new ministerial post to deal with an “emerging threat to the state … a threat founded on abuse and unlawful conduct”.
Tensions are rising in Zimbabwe as the economy deteriorates and a vicious struggle to succeed the 93-year-old president, in power for more than 35 years, intensifies. The main contenders to take power when Mugabe dies or steps down are his wife and Emerson Mnangagwa, a vice-president who has significant support within the country’s powerful security establishment. Tensions are rising in Zimbabwe as the economy deteriorates and a vicious struggle to succeed Mugabe, who has been in power for more than 35 years, intensifies. The main contenders to take power when the 93-year-old steps down or dies are his wife and Emerson Mnangagwa, a vice-president who has significant support within the security establishment.
The first lady is deeply unpopular with Zimbabweans, who have been incensed by reports of her extravagant spending, and has shown herself to be sensitive to criticism. Last month a Zimbabwean journalist who reported that she donated used clothing including underwear to supporters of the ruling party was detained and charged with causing a criminal nuisance. The first lady is unpopular with Zimbabweans, who have been incensed by reports of her extravagant spending, and has shown herself to be sensitive to criticism. Last month a Zimbabwean journalist who reported that she donated used clothing, including underwear, to supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF party was charged with causing a criminal nuisance. The first lady was accused of assaulting a girlfriend of one of her sons in a luxury apartment in South Africa earlier this year.
Mrs Mugabe’s reputation as prone to angry and violent outbursts was reinforced when she was accused of assaulting a girlfriend of her sons in a luxury apartment in South Africa earlier this year. Two men were arrested separately on Friday after they allegedly said: “I will not vote Zanu-PF and President Mugabe is like a dog”.
Two men were arrested separately on Friday after they allegedly said “I will not vote Zanu-PF and President Mugabe is like a dog,” referring to the ruling party. ZLHR says it has represented almost 200 people charged over allegedly insulting world’s oldest head of state, in recent years.
ZLHR says it has represented close to 200 people charged for allegedly insulting world’s oldest head of state, in recent years. Mugabe has already been named by Zanu-PF as its presidential candidate for the 2018 elections.
Mugabe has already been named by Zanu-PF as its presidential candidate for the 2018 poll.