Politically motivated violence in Zimbabwe 2000-2001
A report on the campaign of political repression conducted by the Zimbabwean Government under the guise of carrying out land reform
August 2001

Annexes: Case Studies

Section F - Press statement Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights issued on 11 April 2001

On the afternoon of Saturday 7 April 2001 Mr Tawanda Hondora, the chairperson of ZHLR, was the victim of a brutal attack by members of ZANU (PF) in full view of, and with the active participation of, members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Mr Hondora had gone to Sadza Growth Point in Chikomba constituency in the company of two lawyers from the Human Rights Forum Legal Unit to investigate allegations that persons from the area who came forward to testify in the court case challenging the election result in the district had been assaulted by police officers in the district.

At the Sadza Growth Point, the lawyers observed that a group of about 30 persons wearing ZANU (PF) T-shirts were assaulting Mr Nelson Chivanga, one of the witnesses from the election challenges. Uniformed police officers stood by and watched. The group of assailants noticed the "foreigners" (all three black Zimbabwean male lawyers) watching the assault and gave chase.

Two of the lawyers managed to escape but Mr Hondora was caught by the mob which was continuing the brutal attack on Mr Chivanga. Mr Hondora was then kicked, slapped, hit with fists, whipped and hit behind the ear with a stone. He has a suspected broken jaw.

The mob then forced Mr Hondora to chant ZANU (PF) slogans and to toyi toyi to the police station.

At the police station Mr Hondora and Mr Chivanga were then extensively searched, interrogated about their relationship to the MDC and further tortured. They were assaulted by Constable Mapfumo in the presence of Assistant Inspector Majora, Woman Constable Mafandizvo, Woman Constable Masaringo and Constable Nikisi. Constable Moses Zhakata later took over the beatings.

When the other two lawyers arrived at the police station to rescue their colleague, Assistant Inspector Majora detained them as well. He ordered all police details to be armed and distributed live ammunition. Assistant Inspector Majora then proceeded to lecture the lawyers about the evils of the MDC stating that as educated people they ought to be wiser and not allow themselves to be used by white people. He threatened to call Mr Chenjerai Hunzvi, war veterans and the army to further assault the lawyers.

He refused to allow the lawyers to report the assault and denied Mr Hondora police protection from the waiting mob in order to go to the clinic and have his injuries tended to. In all, Mr Hondora was detained for over three hours.

The lawyers proceeded to Harare, after having their car searched, and filed a formal complaint at Harare Central Police Station. Mr Hondora then proceeded to obtain medical attention.

ZHLR is outraged by the continued brutality, lack of respect for fundamental human rights and political partisanship of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. We demand a full investigation into this incident, as well as into other reported instances of political violence and the denial of the protection by the police to the victims. We condemn police involvement with the vigilante groups of ZANU (PF) supporters who are creating a reign of terror in Zimbabwe.   TOP