Writers advocate for dropping charges against Tsitsi Dangarembga
Tsitsi Dangarembga, the Zimbabwean author nominated for the Booker Prize for her work “This Mournable Body,” faces allegations of intending to incite public violence in Harare.
Notable authors such as Kazuo Ishiguro, Carol Ann Duffy, and Philippe Sands have voiced their support for dropping the charges against Tsitsi Dangarembga before her upcoming court appearance in Zimbabwe this week. They argue that any other outcome would be deemed unacceptable.
Dangarembga, known for her literary achievements, was apprehended during anti-corruption demonstrations in Harare and charged last month with the intention to incite public violence. Despite being released on bail, she is required to attend court hearings, which have been postponed twice due to the absence of prosecutors.
Carol Ann Duffy, former poet laureate, expressed hope that the solidarity shown by UK writers would offer Dangarembga some solace during these challenging times. She urged the UK ambassador to Zimbabwe to convey this support and concern to the Zimbabwean government promptly.
Philippe Sands, author and president of English PEN, emphasized Dangarembga’s right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, both protected by Zimbabwean and international law. He insisted on the immediate dropping of all charges against her.
Support for Dangarembga’s cause extends beyond individual authors to prominent figures in the literary world, including Sebastian Barry, Eimear McBride, and Mario Vargas Llosa. Stephen Page, CEO of Dangarembga’s publisher Faber, emphasized the collective effort required to advocate for her acquittal.
The delay in the court proceedings coincides with the recent nomination of Dangarembga’s latest novel, “This Mournable Body,” for the Booker Prize. This final installment in a trilogy portrays the struggles of Tambudzai in 1990s Harare. The Booker judges praised it as a compelling work from a versatile writer.
Dangarembga’s arrest occurred amidst heightened tensions in Harare preceding planned protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. She described her arrest as a consequence of the authorities’ crackdown on dissent, despite the peaceful nature of the protests.
Despite the challenges she faces, Dangarembga remains hopeful, citing her Booker nomination as a beacon of light amidst the prevailing bleakness. She stresses the urgency of change in Zimbabwe to prevent further decline and maximize the country’s potential.