JESTINA Mukoko and eight other human rights activists tortured in custody have been cleared to sue senior security officials and ministers in their individual capacities after the Attorney General withdrew legal support.
Deputy Attorney General Prince Machaya said on Sunday that the state will not offer legal representation to government officials – including Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri, State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa and Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa -- being sued by Mukoko and eight others.
And in a notice filed with the High Court on Friday, the AG’s Office said: “Be pleased to take notice that the Civil Division of the Attorney-General’s office do hereby renounce agency on behalf of all the defendants.”
No reasons for the shock move were given.
Mukoko's lawyer Harrison Nkomo said the case was now a private matter between his clients and the defendants.
The activists are seeking US$500 million for wrongful arrest, torture and abduction after their terror charges were dropped.
Also listed as defendants are Zimbabwe’s two Home Affairs Ministers -- Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa, Lands and Land Reform Minister Herbert Murerwa, Chief Superintendent Peter Magwenzi, Attorney-General Johannes Tomana and Brigadier General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi.
The Supreme Court ordered that terrorism charges against Mukoko be dropped blast month because she had been tortured.
Mukoko's lawyers said she had been subjected to simulated drowning, locked in a freezer and beaten after being seized in a dawn raid by state-security agents in early December last year. She was not seen for another 21 days.
The former state TV news anchor was accused of taking part in a plot to topple President Robert Mugabe, which she strongly denied.