5.1 Cases seen (Cont'd)
5.1.8 Case H:
History
Mr D.D. is 25 years old and a member of MDC, he is currently unemployed. He went to an MDC
rally at approximately 7 P.M. and found that there was a ZANU PF meeting at the Stadium.
He was taken inside a room where there were more then 30 men who he identified as war
veterans and was handcuffed by them. He was stripped and beaten on the chest and face with
rubber sticks, and shambocks by people who took it in turns to hit him for about half an
hour. For about 10 minutes He was also beaten under the feet ( Falanga ) so as not to run
away. During this time he was screaming so loudly that he alerted his friends that were
arriving for the MDC meeting. He was told by the perpetrators that he was going to be
killed and would be taken away by car to be killed in another place. He was put in a room
which was locked. The ZANU PF came back and unlocked the door but at that moment other MDC
arrived and his friends took him to a police station. He was asked to tell his story and
was able to phone for an ambulance. The police made a statement and he was taken to a
hospital. Upon arrival he showed his injuries but felt that the hospital staff did not
want to treat him as their attitude was not friendly. He had X rays taken and was given
painkillers. To date the police has carried out no investigations. He is afraid that these
people will find him and torture him again.
Previous medical history:
In good health prior to torture.
Alleged Torture Methods
Subjective Complaints
Pain all over body, difficulty while walking, anxiety, nightmares.
Objective Physical Findings
Regio mandibularis dxt: Excoriations, 4 x 2½ cm; 1 circular scar,
atrophic centre, with peripheral hypertrophic white surrounding
Regio brachialis sup dxt: Excoriations, 4 x 3 cm; 1 circular scar,
atrophic centre, with peripheral hypertrophic white surrounding
Objective Psychological Findings
Anxious, depressed.
Conclusions
The objective physical findings correspond to alleged unsystematic beatings, cigarette
burns (characteristic scars) and falanga. The subjective complaints and objective
psychological findings are in accordance with the psychological after effects of
torture. TOP