ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM

TORTURE BY STATE AGENTS IN ZIMBABWE: January 2001 to August 2002

A Report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

March 2003

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as the "Human Rights Forum") has been in existence since January 1998 when 9 non-governmental organisations working in the field of human rights joined together to provide legal and psychosocial assistance to the victims of the Food Riots of January 1998. The coalition’s membership has since increased to 14, wiith 13 core members and 1 asssociate member.

The Human Rights Forum has now expanded its objectives to assist victims of organised violence, using the following definition:

The Human Rights Forum operates a Research and Documentation Unit and offers legal services through the Public Interest Unit of the (formerly the Legal Unit of the Human Rights Forum).

Core member organisations of the Human Rights Forum are:

Associate Member:

Nonviolent Action and Strategies for Social Change (NOVASC)

The Human Rights Forum can be contacted through any member organisation or through:

The Administrator, P O Box 9077 Harare – email: admin@hrforum.co.zw

The Public Interest Unit, P O Box 9077 Harare – email: legal@hrforum.co.zw

The Research Unit, P O Box 9077 Harare – email: research@hrforum.co.zw

Telephone/ Fax: 772 860

The London Liaison Office, 33 Islington High Street, London N1 9LH – email: zimbabwe@article19.org;

Telephone: +44 (0)20-7239.1194

Website: www.hrforumzim.com

Previous reports of the Human Rights Forum can be found on our website.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY - ABBREVIATIONS

BACKGROUND

CONCLUSION

APPENDIX 1 : BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RECENT REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN ZIMBABWE

APPENDIX 2 : CASES OF TORTURE, ILL-TREATMENT AND DERELICTION OF DUTY BY STATE AGENTS FROM JANUARY 2001 TO AUGUST 2002

APPENDIX 3 : NAMED PERPETRATORS AND STATION

GLOSSARY - ABBREVIATIONS

Background

Against the background of the seriously deteriorating human-rights situation in Zimbabwe, there is increasing evidence of the involvement of formal State agencies such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in the perpetration of gross human-rights violations. In recent months, human-rights organisations have seen a dramatic increase in cases in which State agencies are alleged to have committed human-rights violations. This represents a change in the profile of human rights violations, which hitherto have been allegedly committed mainly by Zanu PF supporters, youth militia and so-called "war veterans".

Recent months have also seen increased hostility by the ZRP towards human-rights organisations.Threats have been made against these organisations by senior Ministers and human-rights defenders have been arrested on what appear to be spurious charges. It is noteworthy that the regime is now seeking to implement restrictive legislation against civil society organisations, requiring them to be registered and in important respects controlled, by the State. When these developments are viewed against the mountain of evidence accumulated by civil society organisations on human-rights violations in Zimbabwe, as well as the government’s promulgation of amnesties for perpetrators of such violations, they lead to the conclusion that the regime is seeking to prevent the reporting of human-rights abuses and to render the perpetrators unaccountable for their actions. Such attempts to avoid accountability must be roundly condemned by all parties, locally, regionally and internationally.

The current picture is neither surprising nor unexpected. The Human Rights Forum and its members have been issuing reports over the last four years, pointing out the increasing climate of repression and calling upon the government to take serious steps to redress the situation. These calls have fallen on deaf ears. The increasing involvement of State agencies in the perpetration of gross human rights violations is the focus of this document. It will not seek to describe in detail the many cases in which the ZRP, the CIO and the ZNA have been involved in organised violence and torture, but will draw out the major trends by reference to the many reports already published. It will also draw some conclusions from the data available in the past two years.

This report only deals with matters up to August 2002, but it is evident that there have been further cases of police torture since then. Developments subsequent to August 2002 may be dealt with in additional reports of the Human Rights Forum but, as will be seen, the conclusions, based only on a selection of cases from the data up to August 2002, are extremely worrying and require urgent action, both locally and internationally.

The Food Riots

The Food Riots, which occurred in the high-density areas round Harare in early 1998, were the most serious outbreak of violence since the end of the Matabeleland emergency in 1987. As the Minister of Home Affairs himself commented in his address to Parliament on 3 February 1998:

"... the just ended three day food riots which came soon after the announcement of the general increase of prices of basic commodities, mealie meal, rice, cooking oil and bread represent the most violent riots the country has experienced since independence".

Indeed the whole nation was shocked by the food riots; not just by the rioting of ordinary citizens, but also by the violence of the State’s response. Eight deaths, uncounted injuries and thousands of people being arrested and detained, all made an enduring impression on the nation.

The human-rights community of Zimbabwe made strong appeals to government to control the situation and to obey the principle of "minimum force" that needs to be observed when dealing with civilians. Amnesty International made a strong appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs to repudiate his view that the situation required the use of arms of war and the shooting of unarmed civilians.

The human-rights NGOs in Harare swung into action following the many reports of human-rights violations and the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (Human Rights Forum) was established. This group, a loose alliance of NGOs, provided assistance to detainees and to persons complaining of human rights violations and ill-treatment. The Human Rights Forum produced a report on the riots — Human Rights in Troubled Times: An Initial Report on Human Rights Abuses During and After Food Riots in January 1998 — which was forwarded to the President and Parliament in support of the request for an independent Commission of Inquiry. As was stated in the report:

There was no response from either the President or parliamentarians and thus the Human Rights Forum took the step of lobbying the UN Human Rights Committee at its meeting in 1998 to consider the implementation by Zimbabwe of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. When the Committee produced its final report in September 1998, it made a strong statement endorsing the call by the Human Rights Forum for an independent Commission of Inquiry. The UN Committee made two specific recommendations in respect of the Food Riots:

There has been no wide dissemination of the Covenant as requested and, since the government took no steps either to constitute a Commission of Inquiry or to compensate those who suffered human-rights violations, the Human Rights Forum decided to go ahead and support the request by survivors for civil claims to be pursued against the Government. Forty suits were filed against the ZRP and the ZNA. The Government, through the office of the Attorney-General, contested all claims.

The Human Rights Forum published an extension of the original report which it had submitted to the President and Parliament. The second report again appealed for an independent Commission of Inquiry^. As was seen in the second report, the facts that were established strengthened the prima facie case that the principle of minimum force had been exceeded and this was further confirmed by the civil cases that were subsequently heard by the High Court. It is noteworthy that the judgments have overwhelmingly supported the views of the Human Rights Forum.

The Human Rights Forum repeated the strong recommendations in the first report but, apart from a single letter from the Minister of Defence, the late Mr Moven Mahachi, the Government has ignored the reports, as well as the UN Committee’s recommendations and elected to deal with the matter in the courts.

Torture during 1999 and 2000

The situation did not improve during 1999 and deteriorated massively during 2000. In 1999, there was the notorious case of the torture of the two Zimbabwe Standard journalists, the late Mr Mark Chavunduka and Mr Ray Choto. Despite apparent acceptance by the State that torture had taken place, no action was taken against the perpetrators and indeed no action has taken place to date, even in the face of High Court and Supreme Court rulings.

The Human Rights Forum continued to represent victims from the Food Riots in civil actions and, during 1999 and 2000, added other cases to the list. In several of the cases, the judges of the High Court strongly criticised the conduct of the police and generally the lawyers from the Human Rights Forum, acting for the victims, were able to obtain judgments against the police and the army. These judgments indicated a considerable need for reform in the police and for strong disciplinary action to be taken against the perpetrators. Regrettably, the Human Rights Forum has no evidence that the police took any steps towards reform, nor is there any credible evidence that any disciplinary action was instituted.

The comments of the Legal Unit of the Human Rights Forum in its 1999 annual report are instructive against today’s background and provided a serious warning of what has come about:

As indicated above, little was done. In fact, the situation continued to worsen in 2000 and the reports of police, CIO and army involvement in gross human rights violations proliferated. During 2000, the Human Rights Forum issued an unprecedented number of reports, making exceedingly serious allegations against the State and State agencies during the year. The only response of the State was for the President to issue an amnesty in October 2000, the major consequence of which was to excuse the epidemic levels of torture. This was despite the overwhelming evidence that gross human rights violations had taken place; that this was attested to not only by local human-rights organisations but also by respected international human-rights organisations; and, that there were serious allegations about partisan policing and failure to apply the rule of law. As the Human Rights Forum commented in its Legal Unit’s Annual Report for 2000:

Torture during 2001

Although there were periods during 2001 when organised violence and torture declined in relation to previous years, it was apparent that organised violence and torture did increase in association with the various parliamentary by-elections that took place. However, there was an absolute increase in organised violence and torture from the middle of the year as the campaign for the Presidential election took off in earnest. As the violence generally increased, so did the number of cases in which members of the police, the CIO and the army were alleged to be the primary perpetrators. This caused the Human Rights Forum to re-examine the evidence it had accumulated from past years. It found that the police, the CIO and the army had been implicated in violence to a far greater extent than it had realised. As commented in the Annual Report of the Legal Unit for 2001:

Torture in 2002

Against this background, it is scarcely surprising that we saw little change in 2002. However, it is surprising that we should have witnessed an absolute increase in organised violence and torture and an absolute increase in cases in which the police were alleged to have been involved. A previous dossier issued by a member of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum included 36 cases of police involvement out of a total of 180 cases reported upon. The dossier alleged that the police, the CIO and, to a lesser degree, the Army were all involved in gross human rights violations. Table 1 below shows the trend indicated in this report and it is clear from this evidence that the police are implicated with much greater frequency than in the past.

Table 1

Perpetrators identified by victims

Appendix 2 of this report summarises 80 cases seen by member organisations of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum from January 2001 to August 2002, a period that covers the Parliamentary by-elections, the Presidential election and the post-election period. The cases are a sample of all the cases of torture by state agents documented by the Human Rights Forum in the period (numbering over 234 in all). In all the cases the victims provided affidavits about their experiences and most victims could provide witnesses to support their statements. (None of the cases are taken from press reports)

The cases give considerable cause for concern. They indicate that the police are becoming increasingly involved in serious crimes of violence amounting to gross human-rights violations, as defined in contemporary international instruments. The cases also indicate that previously identified perpetrators, who have escaped liability through the various amnesties granted by the President, continue to be involved in gross human-rights violations.

Political Affiliation of Victims of Torture

Of the victims who reported to the human-rights organisations, 51% stated that they were active members of the MDC and that their membership was the basic reason for the crimes committed against them. A further 32% stated that they were not active members of the MDC: they either had no connection with the party or were merely related to someone who was. However of this 32% stated that the crimes committed against them were related to accusations about their possible MDC membership. Another 20% did not raise MDC membership as a reason for their violation, but in this group were farm workers, persons accused of crimes and persons who got into disputes with the police.

The types of violations conform to those reported in all previous reports (see Appendix 1). As can be seen from Table 2 below, torture was reported in virtually all cases, but, it must be pointed out that the cases of torture were accompanied by other forms of abuse, ill treatment or human rights violations. For example, many persons reported being tortured whilst in police custody and this torture was accompanied by unlawful arrest (no proper charge was made) and illegal detention (detention exceeded the statutory limit). The reference to abductions is to cases where the victims were kidnapped by "war veterans", Zanu PF supporters, or youth militia and were then surrendered or handed over to the police. The term "property offences" refers to the destruction of property or theft of victims’ property.

Table 2

Nature of human-rights violations reported

Since this report deals specifically with human-rights violations by State agents, the overall percentages are not indicative of general trends. As was seen from Table 1 above, the police are the State agents most frequently reported as being responsible for gross human-rights violations. This is clearly shown in Table 3 below.

Table 3

Perpetrators according to force (ZRP, CIO or ZNA)

If the breakdown is done for the police, it becomes clear, as Table 4 shows, that the uniformed branch of the ZRP is reported as massively the major perpetrator, with other branches implicated to a lesser extent. This is a considerable change from previous years, where, in 1998 to 2000, the CIO, PISI, the Riot Squad and the Support Unit were alleged to be the most common offenders and the uniformed branch tended not be reported as being involved in gross human rights violations. This picture does accord with the public domain reports of transfers of professionally-minded uniformed officers and the reports of "war veterans" and CIO officers being placed in positions of authority.

Table 4

Perpetrators according to branch of ZRP

In most cases, the identity of the perpetrator was not known (see Table 5 below), although a sizeable percentage (34%) were known. The names of those identified are summarised in Appendix 3.

Table 5

Cases in which name of perpetrator was known to victim

In a reasonably high percentage of cases, the victim either made a complaint or appeared in a court of law. In two of the cases where the victims made charges to the police, no action has been taken, whilst the perpetrator was acquitted in a third. In another case, the police refused to accept the charge laid by a victim. As regards those cases that came before the courts, usually because the victims themselves had been charged by the police, many victims made complaints about their ill-treatment, but in no case is there any evidence that the magistrates directed any investigation into the victims’ complaints. Bearing in mind the recent treatment meted out to magistrates by Zanu PF supporters, this is probably not surprising, but it does bode ill for the rule of law if convictions based upon torture become routine in Zimbabwean courts.

As will be seen from Appendix 3, some of the perpetrators are known. Indeed, at least one of them — Joseph Mwale, a CIO operative — is notoriously known and is mentioned five times in connection with torture in Chimanimani. Implicated in the murders of Tichaona Chiminya and Talent Mabika in Buhera during the run up to the 2000 Parliamentary election, Mwale has yet to be interviewed in connection with these two extra-judicial killings. Indeed, the ZRP has ignored instructions from various High Court judges to investigate these killings and Joseph Mwale in particular. He remains at large and demonstrates completely the practical impunity that currently characterises Zimbabwe.

Another perpetrator, Assistant Inspector Majora, is similarly notorious, but not quite as well known in the public eye. Assistant Inspector Majora was mentioned as having been involved in two cases of torture in the 2000 Parliamentary elections and again during the Chikomba by-election following the death of Dr Chenjerai Hitler Hunzvi in 2001. It is therefore a further indication of the effects of impunity, both formal and practical, that this individual is mentioned again as having been involved in another two cases of torture. Others are mentioned as having been involved in several cases and here Chatapura and Detective Jambwa in Buhera and Tonderai Baranda in Chimanimani seem the most notorious. Again, the alleged actions of these police and CIO officers suggest that they believe that they have immunity from the law.

The issue of impunity has been raised many times in the reports of the Human Rights Forum and, most recently, has been extensively argued by Amnesty International. It is evident that torture is a serious problem in Zimbabwe – the plethora of reports attests to the truth of this statement – and it seems now that State agencies are themselves seriously implicated in torture. Undoubtedly impunity, whether formal in the case of amnesties, or informal in the way that the State refuses to take serious action in respect of any allegation of torture, contributes strongly to the continuance of torture in Zimbabwe. The situation is now reaching critical proportions. When State agencies become major offenders, as the evidence increasingly shows they are, then all are entitled to ask: who will guard the guards?

Conclusion

The only way forward is for strong action to be taken and the recommendations of many groups, both Zimbabwean and international, must be taken seriously. The most sensible recommendations are also echoed from a variety of quarters and can be simply summarised as follows:

• The international community should carry out independent, impartial investigations into human rights violations and should work with Zimbabwean civil society in such investigations;
• Government, regional and international action is needed to reform the Zimbabwe Republic Police in order to promote the accountability and effectiveness of the police;
• Government, regional and international action is needed to promote the Zimbabwe judiciary’s independence and effectiveness;
• The Zimbabwean government should review legislation to repeal or amend those laws that are unconstitutional or violate human rights;
• The Zimbabwe government should ratify the Convention Against Torture with alacrity.

It is evident to all that the Zimbabwe crisis is reaching critical proportions and many are rightly concerned with the looming food crisis and the spectre of mass starvation. However, other aspects of the crisis must be given full attention and the human-rights crisis most of all. Unless the epidemic of gross human rights violations is dealt with there can be little prospect of adequately managing the other aspects of the crisis, including the severe problem of food distribution. Peace depends upon the civilian authorities doing their jobs impartiality and within the laws of the country and here the police are fundamental. The evidence suggests a crisis within the police that requires urgent action and such urgent action must take place now if the rule of law is not to disappear completely.

Appendix 1 : Bibliography of recent reports on human rights in Zimbabwe.

Appendix 2 : Cases of torture, ill-treatment and dereliction of duty by State Agents from january2001 to august 2002.

The cases reported below are a sample of a database containing 234 cases. They are supported by affidavits and medical reports. In some cases the identity of the perpetrators is known and, where possible or the victims agree, cases have been followed up to determine whether police action has been taken or not. Additionally, there are witness statements to support the primary affidavits.

However in countless cases victims have been unable to supply the name of the perpetrator. The victims were either unable to remember or did not know the names of those who victimised them. This is not wholly surprising as it is unlikely that one will inquire for a name from their persecutor. The Human Rights Forum has tried to be as accurate as possible with the names but, in some cases, only part of a name or a title was known.

1. 04/01/2001

Unlawful arrest and detention; torture

TS (male, aged 32)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Bikita Police Station, Bikita

TS is a youth member of the MDC and had gone for campaigning in Bikita. He went to Bikita on 4 January. They had held only one campaign meeting before they were arrested by the ZRP. At the meeting there were CIO operatives pretending to be MDC. After the meeting they went to Maregere Shopping Centre in preparation of a star rally to be addressed by Morgan Tsvangirai. After they had put up posters, a vehicle full of policemen came and asked them where they came from and they told the police that they were from Harare. The police alleged that the MDC youths were the perpetrators of violence and told them to get into the vehicles. The police started assaulting them with open hands and clenched fists. Three of them were taken to Bikita Police Station, the others managed to flee. The name of the police leader was Shumba. They arrived at the station at around 7 pm and Shumba ordered that they be put in cells. The following day, 6 January at 1pm they started interrogating one MDC member after another and ordered them to remove all their clothing including their pants. At first there were three policemen then came another and later four more. The police took turns to assault them. TS was ordered to lie down and they used hoe handles and hands to assault him all over the body. The assaults continued for about four hours before they were taken back to the cells. TS suffered multiple injuries all over the body. 13 of them were released on 13 January and were told they were being taken to Harare. However they were taken to Gonarezhou National Park. They were dropped in pairs about 10 kms apart and were forced to flee into the bush. They managed to get back to the main road at about 2 am and were given accommodation by the Zanu Ndonga MP at Chipinge Filling Station. They were later directed to the MDC MP for Chiredzi North around 9 am on 10 January. He took them to his bottle store where they were provided with food. They spent the next three days there and came back to Harare towards the elections. The case was reported at Bikita Police Station.. TS is currently experiencing severe headaches.

2. 04/01/2001

Unlawful arrest and detention; torture

GC (male, aged 31)

Place where incident occurred: Mazungunge Village, Bikita

Alleged Perpetrator: C. Shumba + unnamed

I am a youth member of the MDC and went for campaign meetings in Bikita on 22 December. There were 52 of us. We were camped at Maregere Business Centre. On 24 December at around 3 am 3 petrol bombs were thrown at us. Two exploded and several people were injured including myself and I then tried to escape. On 25 December we camped at Pakai's place and mobilised people without hassles. On 30 December we went for a rally at Negovano School and when the youths arrived there were kraal heads who told them that they were being forced to attend MDC meetings by war vets being led by Hunzvi. Hunzvi and his group pitched up and ordered every MDC supporter to leave but we did not. The MDC convoy then arrived and chaos ensued. Three shots were fired into the air by one man in civilian clothing. There were several police officers but violence broke out between Zanu PF and MDC supporters. The police started firing tear gas at us and we managed to escape from the scene. We held a meeting on 3 January which was addressed by Tsvangirai at Matsago Shopping Centre. On 4 January armed police arrived and were ordered to take our bags and separate us into Bikita and Harare residents. We were ordered into the police truck and were allegedly being taken back to Harare for causing the violence. There were 39 of us and we were assaulted as soon as we got into the vehicles. They used baton sticks to assault us. We were taken to Bikita Police Station but no one alighted from the vehicle and we were then taken to Zaka Police Station. We were accused of murdering Gara, the Zanu PF supporter. Our hands were tied behind our backs with handcuffs. I was assaulted under the feet with gun butts. C. Shumba was the ringleader. After the assaults we were put in the police cells and only released on 9 January. We were not given food in the 4 days that we were detained. 13 of the group were taken into a vehicle and were told that they were being taken to Harare. We were ordered to get into another vehicle and were taken to Gonarezhou after they alleged that the vehicle we were in did not have enough fuel. Three of us were first dropped and ordered to go into the bush. We were told that the others would be dropped deeper and deeper in the bush. We walked along the road and managed to meet up with others members of the group who had been the next to be dropped. Using our whistles 11 of us managed to find each other and reunite. We could not locate the other two and so started walking back. After about 5 km we were lucky to see a vehicle which took us to the main road. We arrived at a shopping centre along Chiredzi Road and asked for a phone. We were directed to nearby vehicle where we phoned the MDC MP for Chiredzi who housed and fed us. We were then taken to Masvingo where we were given bus fares to Harare.

3. 04/01/2001

Unlawful arrest/ detention, torture

AM (male, aged 23)

Alleged Perpetrator: Shumba + Chimhuka

Place where incident occurred: Madhege, Chief Ziki, Bikita

I was arrested at Bonnie Pakai's homestead by Riot Police, CID &CIO and driven in a Mercedes Benz lorry to the police station. It was said that I was to be deported back to Harare but I was put in Zaka Police Station instead. We were not put in the charge office but under a tree and guarded at gunpoint. I was accused of being Tsvangirai's bodyguard. They asked me why I moved around with Holland and accused me of having trained with Musekiwa in S.A. I was asked about the NGO's supporting MDC and about its bank account. Shumba is the one who assaulted me. I was beaten with open hands and baton sticks, kicked with booted feet and forced to chew condoms. My shoes were stuffed into my mouth before my jacket was tied around my mouth. Chimhuka took photographs and our particulars. Some of them may have been war vets because they had Zanu PF T-shirts under their shirts. They threatened to dump me in Siya Dam which is infested with crocodiles and with being taken to the DRC. I was lifted up with chains and leg irons. I was refused food for 4 days. There is a court record with Magistrate Zisengwe at Bikita Court.

4. 04/01/2001

Unlawful arrest/ detention, torture

GM (male, aged 23)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Madhege, Chief Ziki, Bikita

I was taken by the Support Unit to Bikita Police Station and later to Zaka Police Station where I was badly beaten up. They asked me why I had resigned from the police and about MDC members being trained in Cuba and South Africa. One officer held me down with his booted foot over my throat while another beat me on the soles of my feet. They beat me and forced me to eat a dirty cloth which they had used for mopping up. I was kept in the cells for one week before being taken to remand prison where we were given food - only boiled spinach.

5. 04/01/2001

Unlawful arrest/ detention, torture

KC (male, aged 28)

Alleged Perpetrator: Cosmore Shumba + Leonard Chimhuka

Place where incident occurred: Madhege, Chief Ziki, Bikita

I was taken by members of the riot police to Zaka Police Station where we were interrogated one by one. It was my turn on 5 January and they assaulted me using baton sticks under my feet while I was handcuffed and in leg irons. They pulled my private parts. There were about 11 members of the CIO. They told me to put on a condom which I had in my pocket. They raised me high by the handcuffs which cut into my hand. I was beaten continuously for about 30 mins. During that four day detention from 4 to 8 January, I and the others did not receive any food to eat. They asked me about my relationship with Sekai Holland and about donors. They also took my diary and did not return it. They threatened me with death if Mugabe was removed from power.

6. 04/01/2001

Unlawful arrest/ detention, torture

LC (male, aged 23)

Alleged Perpetrator: Shumba + Chimhuka

Place where incident occurred: Madhege, Chief Ziki, Bikita

I was picked up at gun point in Madhege Village at Pakai's homestead by a group of 11 police officers. They beat me and pushed me towards their trucks. As we arrived at Zaka Police Station I was handed over to a group of 40 people who were not wearing uniforms. Because I told them that I was from Buhera they said that I knew all because I was from the same area as Tsvangirai. All my details were taken. They asked me which NGO's were sponsoring the MDC and how much was in the MDC account. They asked me about Sekai Holland's boyfriend and I told them that I did not know anything. I was ordered to go into another room where I was severely beaten while I was handcuffed and in leg irons. They removed my shirt and said that there was evidence that I had been trained and was a traitor. They put a mop in my mouth so that I could not scream. Some of them were wearing ZanuPF T-shirts and PTC overalls. (There were visible handcuff marks.)

7. 04/01/2001

Unlawful arrest and detention; torture

LN (male, aged 27)

Alleged Perpetrator: Cosmore Shumba + Leonard Chimhuka + Gavakava

Place where incident occurred: Madhege, Chief Ziki, Bikita (Pakai's Homestead)

There were about 9 people. They took me from Pakai's homestead to Zaka Police Station. I was handed over to the CIO's. They asked me to tell them who killed Bernard Gara, who Sox was and where we were being trained. They removed all my clothes and blindfolded me with an MDC T-shirt around my face. I was also handcuffed and put in leg irons. They started beating me under my feet with the butt of a gun and a baton stick. They also used fists to hit me across my ribs and diaphragm. They pulled by private parts. I was beaten for almost 45 minutes. I was also asked about which NGO's sponsored the MDC and it's aspirations, especially with regards to the presidential elections. They wanted me to be an informer for $10 000. We were in the cells for 4 days without eating.

8. 04/01/2001

Unlawful arrest and detention; torture

IK (male, aged 28)

Alleged Perpetrator: Cosmore Shumba + Leonard Chimhuka, Gavakava + Moyo

Place where incident occurred: Madhege, Chief Ziki, Bikita

I was taken by members of the Support Unit of Fairbridge, Bulawayo, to Zaka Police Station, they said they were taking us back to Harare because we did not come from Bikita West. We were filmed by the ZBC and later interviewed about our personal details. I was taken to room 4 and blindfolded. I was interrogated about MDC and the NGO's sponsoring it as well as the meeting between Tsvangirai and Dhlakama; MDC bank accounts and aspirations of mass action; they also asked where we were trained. We were beaten by the CIO. I was beaten with sticks and open hands and kicked with feet and lastly my private parts were pulled. I have developed a chest problem and have pain on my private parts, stomach and chest. I was further assaulted in the CIO rooms numbering from 6 to 11. There were about six individuals. They also used gun butts to hit me on the soles of my feet. In the four days we were detained we were only supplied with drinking water. On Saturday a man calling himself the Chief Commander came insulting us and said, "I don't bloody care if you don't eat". The member in charge of Zaka Police Station refused to see us saying he was not part and parcel of the goings on. On 7 January we were released into CID custody and charged with public violence. An ID parade was conducted but nobody identified us. In our statements we denied the charge of malicious injury and were headed back to our cells. On Monday 8 January we were taken to Bikita Magistrates court and told the Magistrate about our ill-treatment. From court we were taken to Masvingo on remand. On 17 January we went back to court and were remanded on $100 bail to 14 February.

9. 04/01/2001

Unlawful arrest and detention; torture

BC (male, aged 24)

Alleged Perpetrator: Cosmore Shumba + Leonard Chimhuka + Moyo

Place where incident occurred: Madhege, Chief Ziki, Bikita

I was tortured and ill-treated by members of the riot police and CIO members at Zaka Police Station. I was assaulted with clenched fists and open hands as well as with booted feet on my chest and struck with baton sticks. They confiscated my particulars and stuffed mops into my mouth. After that I was detained in the cells for four days without food. We were then taken to Bikita Court on 8 January.

10. 11/01/2002

Torture (blunt violence); property damage

BC (male, aged 33)

Alleged Perpetrator: Mnangagwa

Place where incident occurred: Murehwa Centre

I was found with four MDC cards and was taken to Murehwa Police Camp. I slept in the cells and the next morning was taken for interrogation. After I had admitted that I was an MDC member and was further questioned until 4pm, then taken back to the cells. At around 7pm another Defender came and they brought me back to Harare. They took me to my house and carried out a search there, intimidating my wife in the process. They found my MDC cards and reports (I am an MDC security officer). They said I was being assisted by a soldier to get guns and went to his house and also carried out a search there. They found a magazine and an empty cartridge there. The beatings then got worse. They took us both into the bush and demanded that we tell them where the guns were. We told them that we did not know anything about any guns. From my home the two of us were taken to Marondera and detained there for a night. On the next day we were interrogated and told to admit to the offence of possessing the firearms or else we would die. We admitted to the offence. We were taken to court on Monday 14 January. I saw some other accused persons who gave advice not to plead guilty. We were charged with possession of firearms and the soldier was charged for selling them to us.

11. 15/01/2001

Torture

EC (male, aged 23)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Mutikizizi Business Centre, Bikita

The victim was assaulted by members of the ZRP at Mutikizizi Business Centre for allegedly disturbing their peace. He was having drinks with fellow MDC members at Mutikizizi Business Centre when the police arrived and started beating them with sticks, booted feet, baton sticks and gun butts. He was assaulted all over the body and sustained multiple injuries. He could not identify where the police came from and did not report the matter. He was unable to seek medication.

12. 18/01/2001

Torture; unlawful arrest

SM (male, aged 30)

Alleged Perpetrator: Superintendent Majongosi + Inspector Chinduzha

Place where incident occurred: Gokwe Centre, Gokwe

He was assaulted with fists, sticks, bottles and had beer poured over him. Taken to ZRP Gokwe to Superintendent Majongosi, who tried unsuccessfully to force client to write "Kabila afa kwasara Mugabe(Kabila is dead, Mugabe is next)". He did not take any action despite the fact that the assailants were there. Released around 7 pm. On 23 January arrested by Insp. Chinduzha for allegedly saying "Kabila afa."(Kabila is dead). The Public Prosecutor refused to prosecute for lack of evidence.

13. 04/02/2001

Unlawful arrest; torture

IK (male, aged 23)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: St Mary's Police Station

IK is the MDC Secretary, Chitungwiza Province. Was assaulted on 4 February and some of his assailants are Blessing, Munyaradzi, Musekiwa, Simango and two others who had been assaulted at an MDC rally in St Mary's. These officers are attached to PISI. Used baton sticks, broomsticks, whips, booted feet and open hands. Arrested on the 4 February around 4 pm and taken to St Mary's. Taken to Harare Central police the following day around 3.30 pm where he spent a night. Was assaulted under the feet by one police officer. Was forced to sign a docket at St Mary's. At one time a gun was pointed at him and was threatened with death. Released on Tuesday 6 February on $1000 bail by the High Court. At St Mary's the police officers allegedly invited the army to come and assault him. Suffered multiple injuries all over the body.

14. 14/02/2001

Torture

DM (male, aged 35)

Alleged Perpetrator: Inspector Majora + unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Chikomba, Sadza

He was stabbed by Zanu PF supporters in the armpit. When he went to make a report to ZRP, Sadza, he saw his assailant already there. He was summoned into an office by the officer-in-charge, Majora, who assaulted him for supporting the MDC. DM was assaulted with a plank by Majora while another officer assaulted him with a whip. They accused him of dishing out red cards to people. The cards belonged to his late sister, RM who was murdered in Bikita West. The police officers took DM to his homestead and continued to assault him, leading to his sustaining multiple injuries.

15. 10/03/2001

Political victimisation; torture

PZ (male, aged 25)

Alleged Perpetrator: Assistant Inspector Majora + Constable Mhukayesango + John Mugadza

Place where incident occurred: Sadza Growth Point

He was approached when he was bathing, assaulted by ZRP officer Majora while naked, put on clothes as assaults continued. Majora tried to break his hand against the corner of the Defender. At the charge office received a hard beating while the other officers were looking on. Dragged around the charge office, shirt and pair of trousers torn, pair of sandals, watch and $70 lost. Verbally abused for intending to go to Harare and give evidence in the electoral petitions. Testicles are now painful from being pressed against the pillar of the veranda. A CZ pistol was forced into mouth, he was then beaten with sticks, flat timber, fists and open hands. Other assailants included Constable Mhukayesango and John Mugadza. Released at about 2200 hrs. Was bleeding from mouth and nose.

16. 12/03/2001

Unlawful arrest; torture

NC (male, aged 28)

Alleged Perpetrator: Assistant Inspector Majora + Constable Nyoni + Constable Penzura + Constable Ennia

Place where incident occurred: Sadza Police Station

Taken by Mr. Moses Zhakata to Sadza Police Station. The aim was to get NC to relinquish MDC membership and assume that of Zanu PF. Taken to Asst. Insp. Majora's office. Asked about his going to Harare and where he was staying in Harare with other MDC supporters. Assaulted with an axe handle and big log. During assault Constables Nyoni, Ennia and Penzura (a war vet) all participated in the assault with clenched fists, booted feet and demanded the money he had been given by Tsvangirai. Pocket knife and watch taken. Chased out of office after he started bleeding from the nose. Inspector Mpofu was in his office throughout incident, laughed and told him to go and collect MDC cards and T-shirts. Went to Sadza Hospital for treatment on the same day. Asst. Insp. Majora followed him to hospital and harassed hospital workers on the charge of interfering with political issues. Then treated in Harare for the injuries sustained.

17. 07/06/2001

Torture; unlawful arrest

SM (male, aged 19)

Alleged Perpetrator: Ngonidzashe Mungofa + unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Chiwaridzo Police Station

Zanu PF and MDC supporters had a clash earlier on. After about a week when we were at the township, a mob of Zanu PF supporters including five police officers descended on us. The police brought me down, assaulted me with booted feet and batons and then took us to the police station. Our hands were handcuffed to our backs and we were further assaulted with handcuffs and batons. I was detained for five days without being charged. Eventually on the day of our release some policemen arrived and asked why we had not been charged with the assault of a policeman. They forced us to sign admission of guilt forms and to pay $500. They warned us of further assaults if we continued to support the MDC.

18. 07/06/2001

Torture; unlawful arrest and detention

ND (male, aged 19)

Alleged Perpetrator: Ngonidzashe Mungofa + unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Chiwaridzo Police Station, Bindura Police Camp

Assaulted by ZRP officers at Bindura who alleged that ND had verbally abused and harassed a police officer. Taken to Chiwaridzo Police Post and assaulted for nearly 30 minutes using baton sticks. Assaulted all over the back and especially the neck. One of the policemen trampled on ND's neck with boots. They were then transferred to Bindura Police Camp and detained there overnight. At around 12 am a member of CID armed with a gun came and started assaulting the three of them with booted feet. ND's head was bashed against the door. Detained for five days and tortured again on the last day of their detention. The other two detained appeared in court on 11 June minus ND. ND made to pay $80 admission of guilt fine before being taken to court. ND sustained multiple injuries all over his body including his chest.

19. 01/07/2001

Property destruction; torture (blunt violence)

KG (female, aged 27)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Bindura

When the MDC president held a rally in Bindura, the victim attended. That evening a group of Zanu PF supporters went to her home and stoned the house. They broke all the windows, but the victim managed to escape. Two days later when she was on her way to a conference in Musana, they met the police on arrival. They were forced back into their truck. The police used rifle butts to push them back into the truck. She was injured on her wrist.

20. 06/07/2001

Unlawful detention; torture

WM (male, age unspecified)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Harare, Warren Park Shopping Centre

On 6 July at Warren Park Shopping Centre, six ZANU (PF) youth accused the victim of being an MDC Chairman and instructing MDC youth to attack the police with stones. Before he answered them they kicked him all over his body resulting in the loss of four teeth. They stole $500 from his trousers and destroyed his watch. He fell down during the attack and lost consciousness for about 15 minutes. Upon regaining consciousness he realised they had taken him to a police camp. The police made the same allegations that the Zanu PF youth had made. He was threatened and experienced verbal abuse. He was handcuffed whilst bleeding from the mouth and nose. He was kept in a cell for a whole day and night. He was allowed to return home at 10 a.m. to receive medical treatment. He suffers severe pain in left shoulder and unable to move it properly.

21. 13/07/2001

Unlawful arrest and detention; torture

GM (male, aged 26)

Alleged Perpetrator: Dzimbanhete + Mandeya + Musoni + Mhaka + Zishiri + unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Bindura & Mount Darwin, Rushinga

Abducted in Bindura together with 26 other MDC youths by war vets armed with pistols. The war vets were reportedly wearing police uniforms and took them to Bindura Police Station. The youths were searched for arms of war but nothing was found. At Bindura Police Station they were assaulted by police officers who claimed to be members of the Support Unit and war vets. They used wooden sticks to beat them on the soles of their feet. They were then placed in the cells but were later driven to Rushinga where the assaults continued from around 6 pm until 9 pm. Forced to give them their names. At around 12:15 am they dropped them off in groups along the Rushinga Road. They walked to Mt. Darwin. Along they way they were assaulted by groups of war veterans who are stationed at each of the shopping centres along the route. They managed to board a bus but were forced off because they did not have bus fares. The war vets had taken all their money. GM sustained injuries to his back and to the soles of his feet.

22. 13/07/2001

Kidnapping; unlawful arrest and detention; torture

MT (male, aged 22)

Alleged Perpetrator: Dzimbanhete + Mandeya + Musoni + Mhaka + Zishiri

Place where incident occurred: Bindura & Mount Darwin, Rushinga

Abducted in Bindura together with 26 other MDC youths by war vets armed with pistols. The war vets were reportedly wearing police uniforms and took them to Bindura Police Station. The youths were searched for arms of war but nothing was found. At Bindura Police Station they were assaulted by police officers who claimed to be members of the Support Unit and war vets. The police used wooden sticks to beat them on the soles of their feet. They were then placed in the cells but were later driven to Rushinga where the assaults continued from around 6 pm until 9 pm. Forced to give them their names. At around 12:15 am they dropped them off in groups along the Rushinga Road. They walked to Mt. Darwin. Along they way we were assaulted by groups of war veterans who are stationed at each of the shopping centres along the route. They managed to board a bus but were forced off because they did not have bus fares. The war vets had taken all their money.

23. 01/08/2001

Unlawful arrest and detention; torture

SP (male, aged 42)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Norton

In August villagers from Mhondoro, believed to be supporters of the MDC, burnt down huts belonging to settlers on the farm where SP was employed. Later on SP was picked up by Norton Police who alleged that he had led the attack on the settlers. They further accused him of having colluded with the owner of the farm, in leading the attack. SP was detained for four days without being taken to court and was also denied food. Having been arrested on Tuesday, SP was released on Friday without any charges being preferred against him. A month later a group of about 12 soldiers came to the farm and assaulted SP and all the other foremen. SP was assaulted with logs and sustained multiple injuries all over his back and on the back of his legs. He was threatened against seeking medical attention and against reporting the matter to the police. He reported on 3 December to Norton Police Station; no arrests made so far.

24. 25/10/2001

Assault

MS (male, age unspecified)

Alleged Perpetrator: Chief Inspector Chinyoka

Place where incident occurred: Chisumbanje, Chipinge South

Victim is the MDC ward Chairman. Chief Inspector Chinyoka picked him up from his work place on charges of unlawful possession of arms of war. He was detained at Chisumbanje Police Station where he was handed over to the central intelligence personnel based at Chisumbanje. They then drove him away from the station in a blue Mazda Pick up truck, registration no. 657-412 C, to a place where he was put in a room and stripped naked. He was assaulted for being an MDC supporter and hence of being in possession of arms of war. They released him on condition that he surrender his MDC membership cards and T-shirts at a rally at Checheche on 26 October which was to be addressed by Elliot Manyika. He was also to state that he had defected from the MDC. He did not turn up at the rally.

25. 31/10/2001

Political intimidation; displacement; torture

CG (male, age unspecified)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Murehwa

The victim ran away from his home after the CIO and police had come to his home. They did not find the victim and came back after a few days, but still did not find him. The victim had been to Harare to testify in the election petitions. He claims that he had heard that they wanted to arrest him. In April 2000 the victim was abducted at Zimbabwe Ex-Combatants (ZEXCOM) and assaulted with rubbers, sjamboks and baton sticks. He was released to go home and cook for the children. That is when he escaped to the next village. On 18 November he heard from a neighbour that his 8-year-old son had been sexually abused.

26. 14/11/2001

Torture (blunt violence & falanga); unlawful arrest & detention

DM (male, aged 36)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Harare Central Police Station, Highlands Police Station

About seven men arrived at my home and introduced themselves as police officers. They asked us to open up, myself and SC (see below). The men had obviously climbed over the gate and were not in uniform. One of them identified himself to SC and produced an ID. They asked us to open the doors and the thoroughly searched our house - every nook and cranny was searched. All MDC membership cards, campaign material, files etc were confiscated as well as about 40 party constitutions. We were then asked to carry all the material outside to a blue 323 and a white Nissan Sunny parked outside. At no point did these officers produce a warrant or tell us that we were under arrest. We were force-marched to the car and taken to Highlands Police Station. They gave us pieces of paper and told us to write our autobiographies. I wrote less than half a page and was told that that was not enough. All along these officers were liasing with police personnel at Highlands Police Station. They accused us of not being comprehensive enough and began interrogating us. We were asked why we had joined the MDC and where our party portfolios, families and relatives were. They even retrieved the numbers from my phone and asked for my PIN number. They questioned us about the operations of our party, who and how many whites provided the party in our province with money. In the meantime SC was in custody at Highlands Police Station. When I indicated that no white person I knew had given us money, they began beating me and alleged that I knew that the MDC was sponsored by whites. They used a sjambok made of hippopotamus skin to hit me on the head. After that they handed me over to the custody of a police officer at the reception. The ordeal had lasted about 5 hours. After they had interrogated SC they took us to Harare Central Police Station. They had bought sadza at Rhodesville and one of them offered me sadza. I had no appetite and I refused. At Harare Central they took us to the CIO offices in the basement. They then indicated that the time they had been waiting for had arrived. They said they now wanted us to tell them the truth and stop messing around. They also indicated that there was a way of us being implicated in the murder of Cain Nkala. SC was then taken out. I told them that I didn't know anything about the murder of Nkala. They severely tortured me, beating me with a sjambok underneath the feet. They rotated the administration of the beatings among themselves. In the meantime they were saying "munhu ngashandwe"(beat him up badly). I lost all power to cry out. They further inquired as to how much was in the provincial account. They asked about vehicles that were allegedly bought by a certain Puzey for the MDC as well as what farmers had offered the MDC money. This lasted from about 3pm till 11pm. After that SC was called in and I was taken into another room. I was asked to salute a picture of Mugabe on the wall as well as toyi-toyi and chant Zanu PF slogans. After the beatings, both of us were taken together under guard and they indicated that they would then brief their boss upstairs. SC was then released on the same day having sustained severe injuries. I was taken to Matapi Police Station where I was put in a cell with seven other inmates. We were denied drinking water. Four of them came for me at around 9 am. They took me to a Nissan Sunny and blindfolded me and asked me to lie down. They took me to a room in an area I couldn't identify. I was interrogated further on the same issues as before and then I was asked whom I would vote for between Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube. They also asked me what I thought about Masundire's leadership in the province and what role I had played in his suspension, i.e., what information I had given to the Commission of Inquiry into the factionalism that took place. I was also asked who we would make the MDC mayoral candidate and among the members of the police and army, who supported the MDC. I was further beaten with a sjambok. At around 2pm, they went through the files they had seized and questioned me about each piece of correspondence. I was further slapped, knocked about and booted. They threatened me, saying that I could disappear and that I was lucky to be going back in one piece. In the evening, I was blindfolded and taken back to the officer in charge, Law and Order section, who asked me to write a statement regarding the death of Nkala. He took my fingerprints and then asked me to sign the statement. I was refused the services of a lawyer. Before I was released the CIO officers involved said that I should not talk to the press and that I should take that seriously. They said my wife would be in trouble if I talked to the press. I was taken home in a white defender and passed by the officer-in-charge at Morris Depot before proceeding home. I went to the Avenues Clinic but left as soon as my case had been reported. I am scared for my life. I have stopped going to work. They said that if I wanted to go back to work I should be prepared to campaign for Zanu PF.

27. 14/11/2001

Torture (blunt violence); unlawful arrest

SC (male, aged 36)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Harare Central Police Station, Highlands Police Station

Some police knocked on the door and as the district chairperson I thought I heard some of our youths had committed some offence. My wife opened the door for them. They handed over a laminated ID in black and white with ZRP written on it. There was no picture on it and the name was blurred. There were seven officers in civilian clothing. They demanded all MDC material that they alleged belonged to the police. A whip was used to assault me all over. They asked for the MDC material and we handed over 7 MDC membership cards, about 5 000 fliers. They also took away a portrait of Tsvangirai, letters and minutes. They searched for a gun that they alleged we had in our possession and persisted in beating me up. They had a cream 323 and a Nissan Sunny and asked us to lug the material over to their cars. They did not say they were arresting us. DM went in the sunny and I went in the 323. Two of them sat in front and I had 1 guy in the back with me. We (DM was included, see above) were taken to Highlands Police Station where we were ordered to write down our life history, party activities, structures and names of party office holders. We were in the meantime handcuffed to each other. I was intimidated and harassed. We were detained for about seven hours before they took us to Harare Central Police Station. Then we were driven back to Highlands. At Highlands, uniformed police officers supplied the men who had abducted us with an interrogation room and materials for interrogation. It was in the CIO department, I think it was opposite room 2. We were required to remove our shoes and sit on the bare floor. They asked us why we supported the MDC, whether we knew about war, what Mugabe was and what Tsvangirai was and that if we didn't know what war was, they were going to show us because we were sell-outs. DM was escorted outside. I was asked to sit with my legs stretched out in front of me and they beat me with a whip. They said that after this experience I would go back home and buy a Zanu PF card. I was instructed to simulate sitting in a chair and was made to do this for about one and a half hours. I was told to chant Zanu PF slogans. At this stage my feet were swollen and extensively bruised. Blood was oozing all over my body. An old woman was sent over to bind my wounds but this failed to stem the bleeding. They then handed me to the officer in charge. A docket was opened. The officer in charge inquired as to what had happened but then no criminal charge was laid on me. Two of the guys who had been involved in assaulting me were asked to take me home. The Nissan Sunny was used to take me home. They told me to clean the blood from my clothes and warned me against reporting to the press. When I arrived home a friend of mine, KM was there and ferried me to hospital. They referred us back to the police for a referral letter, which I obtained.

28. 15/12/2001

Torture

BD (male, aged 72)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Derera Village, Murehwa

Assaulted with fists and boots by police. He was taken by the police to Rockland base where he slept for two nights. Then transferred to Marondera Police Station on 17 December until 19 December. He was deprived of food at their base. He was then taken to hospital in Marondera on 18 December. He was accused of stealing cattle from neighbouring farms. The case is still to go to court and date was given.

29. 01/01/2002

Assault, abduction

MG (male, aged 48)

Alleged Perpetrator: Tembedza (ZRP Marange)

Place where incident occurred: Rural: Mutare West

Victim is the MDC security personnel in Mutare East. He was approached by the named persons whilst at Gilford Mutsago’s village in Mutare West. They arrived in a police defender truck and asked for Gilford Mutsago with whom they wanted to discuss political issues. When he failed to meet their demands, he was severely assaulted and detained for five days. Victim appeared before Mutare magistrate court and was remanded out of custody on $ 300 bail.

30. 05/01/2002

Kidnapping and abduction; torture (blunt violence)

GM (male, age unspecified)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Cleveland House, Harare

The victim and five others were taken from Cleveland House to Harare Central Police Station where he was interrogated by people who were not in uniform. He was accused of being an NCA member and was beaten with baton sticks on his buttocks. He was bundled into a car and driven to Warren Park, Hatcliffe and back to the station, where he was beaten up with open hands on his left ear. He was released at 5 pm..

31. 27/07/2002

Torture(Blunt violence): property damage

JM (male, aged 31)

Alleged Perpetrator: unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Murambinda Police Station

On the 20th of July 2002 at about 0500 hrs, the riot police and regular unit came to the victim’s house with the CIO. They knocked on the door and windows. When the victim opened they immediately began to beat him up demanding that he produces weapons he was given by Morgan Tsvangirai. They also beat up his wife and brother for about an hour then took the victim to their vehicle where they beat him up some more. He was taken to Buhera ZRP where he was tortured continuously for 3 days. He was put in prison in Rusape for 2 weeks before bail was posted.

32. 13/01/2002

Torture; unlawful arrest and unlawful detention

JS (male, aged 33)

Alleged Perpetrator: Chimedza + unnamed

Place where incident occurred: Kwekwe, Amaveni

JS was assaulted by the police for allegedly being involved in violence that had taken place at Amaveni. The victim was arrested for allegedly being involved in the violence that had taken place at Amaveni bus terminus. There were six police officers (one female and five male); they were using baton sticks to assault him while his head was in the toilet in the cells. The officers concentrated their beatings on his waist. One of them hit him on the testicles when he fell down in the cell. The torture lasted for three days from 13 to 16 January, when he was released. His alleged victim came on 14 January and denied that JS was the assailant, but he was still kept in the cell. JS was not charged and the police refused to record a statement from him. One of the officers advised him to leave Kwekwe as there was a threat to his life.

33. 09/02/2002

Kidnapping and abduction; torture

WM (male, aged 27)

Alleged Perpetrator: Usayi