Organised Violence and Torture
in Zimbabwe

IRCT
Harare and Copenhagen - June 06, 2000


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5. Findings

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5.1 Cases seen (Cont'd)
5.1.9 Case I:

History
Mr O.M has been an active MDC member since June 1999. He was kidnapped while buying groceries. He was detained for 1 day and tortured by 90 people. His clothes were removed and he suffered electrical torture between the arms and legs as well as beating with wooden sticks in the side of the ribs. He was beaten under the feet with an electric wire which made it difficult to walk for 2 days after the event. 3 people sat on his legs while he was beaten with electric cords. 2 of the torturers were soldiers and most were women. He was rescued by the Police Support Unit at the request of the Police. 2 other people were released at the same time as him, one of them he has not been seen or heard of since. He reported the case to the police who later arrested 47 war veterans /ZANU PF supporters who have been refused bail. The arrests took place on the 18th May. After the death of an MDC activist on the 17th May. Following his release and before the arrest of the presumed perpetrators people came and burnt his clothes and he was too fearful to live in his house and is living together with others in the same area. He has sought legal representation which is being carried out. After the event his local doctor recommended him to see a specialist which he has not been able to do for lack of funds.

Previous medical history:
In good health prior to torture and never hospitalised.

Alleged Torture Methods

  • Psychological torture:
    Threats including death threats
    Humiliation: stripped naked

  • Physical torture:
    Unsystematic beatings over entire body and electric shocks
    Falanga
    Electric shocks

Subjective Complaints
Headaches, back pains.

Objective Physical Findings

  • Regio brachialis, sup ventralis dxt: 2 round scars, diameter ½ cm

  • Regio brachialis, sup ventralis sin: 2 round scars, diameter ½ cm

Objective Psychological Findings
Nil

Conclusions
The objective findings correspond to alleged electrical shock torture. TOP