The threats were nonetheless very worrying and the AMANI Trust and the Human Rights Forum immediately instituted an urgent appeal for support from international partners. In particular the support from the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) and Amnesty International seemed to provide the kind of pressure necessary to get a good local response.

One other case involved the harassment by government agents of GM who had survived a murderous attack in June 1998. Subsequently he and his family were harassed and threatened by government agents on a regular basis. He was accused of conniving with elements of ZANUPF to make linkages to the labour movement especially the emerging political wing of the ZCTU. He sought the assistance of the Human Rights Forum and was helped to seek asylum outside the country. The harassment of his family continued after his leaving the country with the last reported incident taking place on the eve of the launch of the Movement for Democratic Change. State agents burst into the family home in the early hours of the morning searching for GM, examining documents and even threatening his young son.

JK
This women was severely tortured by officers of the ZRP. On very flimsy grounds, she and her husband were arrested on suspicion of having murdered their maid. JK received very severe treatment, including beatings, suspension, electrical shock, and beatings to her genitalia. The Human Rights Forum is following up this case in order to get accurate details, but she and her husband are being assisted by a private lawyer in making charges against the ZRP and claiming damages.

BS & AM
They are brother and sister. BS was arrested by police officers after protesting against the Epworth Local Board for destroying her house and crops. Policemen at Hatfield Police Station struck her with clenched fists, boots and a stick. After hearing of his sister’s arrest AM went to the station where he was also detained and beaten with a truncheon under his feet. The Human Rights Legal Unit is now awaiting a Pre-Trial Conference date from the Registrar of the High Court.

PZ
PZ was assaulted by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police after he had been overheard making comments about alleged corruption by the police. He was dragged off by an armed policeman and then beaten with rifle butts and truncheons, slapped and kicked with boots. The assaults stopped when Security Guards at a shop nearby heard his screams and came to his assistance. The policemen ran away. He made a statement at Matapi Police Station and his statement was corroborated by several witnesses.

RM & NZ
These two gentlemen were taken to Nyamweda Police Station in Mhondoro as suspects in a theft of maize grain case. They were beaten with truncheons, iron bars, plaited electric wires and a hosepipe. NZ apparently received a much more severe beating and died 9 days after being released from police custody. The Death Certificate issued shows that death was caused by injuries to the multiple tissue caused by a blunt object.

PM
He was assaulted on his back, buttocks, under his feet and all over his body by police officers who were investigating a case of theft of money from his employer. He was handcuffed with his hands at the back. His legs were forced between the handcuffs whereupon the policemen started assaulting him with a truncheon under his feet.

FN
He was assaulted on his back, buttocks, under his feet and all over his body by police officers who were investigating a case of theft.

MM, RM, EK & LM
These men are related to each other. They were arrested by police in Bulawayo on allegations of theft of a motor vehicle. They were arrested at different times but they all complained of being locked in a car boot and being assaulted. They were kept at Bulawayo Central Police Station for 5 days. They were later transferred to Harare where they were released without being charged.