Litigants In Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Court Case Receive Twitter Threats
The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) and its director, Nicole Fritz, have received threats on Twitter in relation to their court action to stop the discontinuation of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs. On 10 April, a Twitter user named Freeman Bhengu (@zibuseman) warned that he and his accomplices would deal with Fritz and her daughter, adding that they knew where she lived and where her closed offices were located in Parktown.
The HSF, alongside the Zimbabwe Immigration Federation and the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Holders, are challenging in court the decision by the Department of Home Affairs to scrap the ZEP. This decision will affect around 178,000 ZEP holders.
The hearing began in the Pretoria High Court on 11 April. GroundUp reported Fritz as saying the threats are “enormously disturbing” and that those working in social justice or human rights should not experience such harassment. She also mentioned that other litigants were also receiving threats.
The Global South Against Xenophobia (GSAX) has issued a statement calling on the South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to take action. GSAX has urged SAPS to protect Fritz during the duration of the court hearings or until the perpetrators are arrested and to investigate all the threats.
Fritz said that this is not the first time she has been threatened. She said the same person has emailed her in the past, telling her that she is being watched.
Threats of violence and intimidation against individuals who are seeking to uphold the rule of law and defend human rights are completely unacceptable. It is crucial that the authorities take swift action to investigate these threats and ensure the safety of those who are being targeted.
Source -MasimbaNews ✍🏿