We were very fortunate to receive a talk from Makomborero Haruzivishe ('Mako'). Mako had been a human rights and democracy campaigner in Zimbabwe since 2011 but came to the UK in 2021. He rose to prominence as Secretary General of Zimbabwe Students' Union (which had 400,000 members) where his role led to him engaging with both Parliament and Government.  Following the post Mugabe coup in 2017 he had become a target for the authorities, being arrested seven times in what Mako characterised as a harassment campaign.

In 2021 he was arrested and abducted and taken to a police station. Fortunately various members of the public had taken photographs of the incident enabling his release. No action was taken against his abductors and he thinks the public action may have saved his life. Again in 2021 he was imprisoned after 'cooked up charges' were laid against him and denied bail. He was tortured and conditions were appalling (200 prisoners in an area appropriate for 30) during the Covid pandemic with no  healthcare support or visitors, and having to sleep on the floor with lice infested blankets. Mako demanded a speedy trial which the authorities declined claiming they were gathering evidence.

Mako emphasised that his story was just one case. Many others remain in similar situations.

Mako paid tribute to the support from Amnesty and their interventions which were followed by concessions. He was released in 2022 but had to report to the police on a daily basis and was not allowed to pursue his education or do paid work.

Before, during and after his imprisonment he had believed that he might be killed and this finally prompted him to leave the country. He is now studying Law and Politics at Kent University. He is also Amnesty Country Coordinator for Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic.

The Group were deeply moved by Mako's testimony, wished him well and hoped that he could return to speak to us in his Country Coordinator role.