5.1 Cases seen (Cont'd)
5.1.6 Case F:
History
Mr G.S., 61years old, is retired and an MDC candidate. He is one of the founding members
of MDC in his constituency. He was kidnapped on his way to an MDC rally in Avoka Business
Centre on the 3rd May before the eyes of the current MP and 3 police. He was on his way to
his 3rd rally that day. At about 1400 hours he saw 20 people wearing ZANU PF T-shirt. 9
ZANU PF blocked his car armed with sticks and sjambocks. He was with his driver. He was
pulled out of his car and into theirs and was driven for 3 km into the bush with 6 people.
Then he was taken out of the car and kicked and trampled on until he lost consciousness.
They thought that he was dead. When he woke he saw his driver who was also bleeding and
has cuts to his body.
Mr G.S. had a swollen face and a very painful head. He was driven to
Filabuzi Hospital late at night and was seen by nurses and given painkillers and ointment.
They wanted him to be examined by a doctor and he waited 5 hours to be seen. The medical
report states that there were 7 scars on his body. He intends to take legal action against
his attackers and confirms that he will be able to identify them. All 6 have been called
for questioning. He thinks that the police will make arrests and that the current MP
ordered the event. He went to the police who witnessed the incident till the point of
abduction to report the case. They informed him that they did not intervene as they were
scared to do so. On the same day as he was attacked the MDC Chairman for the same area was
stabbed in the head and 2 youths were beaten up.
Previous medical history:
In good health prior to torture. Never hospitalised.
Alleged Torture Methods
Psychological torture: Threats including death threats
Physical torture: Beatings over entire body with sjamboks, sticks and
boots, until unconscious
Subjective Complaints
Headache, dizziness, muscular pains, anxiety attacks, nightmares, interrupted sleep,
depression, diminished concentration.
Objective Physical Findings
Blood pressure: 140/100
Upper extremities: diminished movement of 1 phalanx dxt
Regio brachialis sup. dorsalis dxt: linear scar, 7 x 3 cm
Regio brachialis sup. dorsalis sin: linear scar, 3 cm
Regio iliaca dxt: irregular scar without clear demarcations, 4 x 3 cm
Objective Psychological Findings
Calm, sad, depressed, and obviously in pain.
Conclusions
The objective findings concerning scars and function correspond to alleged beatings. The
objective psychological findings are consistent with the after effects of psychological
torture. Additionally this person has suffered a concussion. TOP