241: hope found in Zimbabwean courts?

There has been very little hope to be found in Zimbabwe of late. This week alone has seen multiple arrests of opposition MPs and party officials, bans on NGO aid activities, government attempts to block opposition rallies, and attacks on US and UK diplomats investigating political violence. However, as today's linked article from Reuters reports, Zimbabwean courts are now intervening. Today Zimbabwe's High Court ruled that an opposition MP, who had been arrested for the second time in a week, now be released. On Saturday, courts ruled that opposition rallies could continue, despite attempts by government officials and police under their control to ban them. It's still very hard to see how any presidential run-off vote can be conducted freely and fairly, but it's certainly encouraging to see the judiciary working to maintain its independence and to uphold the rule of law.