A growing list of human rights violations by Mugabe’s police thugs
Read about what happened yesterday at this post here. We’ve compiled a list of known atrocities so far - in no particular order and with no guarentee that this is definitive. Much of what happens - especially if its brutal and violent - is kept hidden from the world by Mugabe’s stranglehold on press freedom.
1. Gift Tandere murdered by the police
Gift Tandare is the name of the young man killed by the Zimbabwean police yesterday. He was a young activist trying to participate in a rally yesterday, organised to voice objections to the myriad human rights abuses under Mugabe and Zanu PF in our country. He leaves behind a wife and three young children (primary school age).
A second seriously injured party activist is apparently in critical condition.
2. MDC faction leader beaten and seriously injured
The police have questions to answer for their brutal treatment of Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of one of the two opposition factions of the MDC:
Morgan Tsvangirai was severely assaulted in detention and had to be taken to hospital for treatment following his arrest on Sunday over a banned prayer rally, his lawyer said.
“He was in bad shape, he was swollen very badly. He was bandaged on the head. You couldn’t distinguish between the head and the face and he could not see properly,”
This further update via Zimbabwe Situation:
Morgan Tsvangirai is reported to have passed out three times and sustained a swollen head and body, with difficulty in talking and seeing.
The MDC are very concerned about his welfare:
He has a “head injury that has caused heavy bleeding and bouts of dizziness. Others in the cells with him are very worried about his condition,” said Roy Bennett, the MDC’s representative in South Africa.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights were last night pressing an urgent court application to have access to Mr Tsvangirai and to get him medical attention.
3. Evidence of widespread use of torture against high profile civil rights activists
Nelson Chamisa, Mike Davies and Elton Mangoma are reported to be at the infamous Goromonzi torture center where they have also been seriously tortured.(link)
The same release also alerts us that Lovemore Madhuku (National Constitutional Assembly) has a fractured arm as a result of police brutality.
4. Senior opposition figures ‘missing’
Arthur Mutambara (leader of one of the MDC factions) and Tendia Biti are ‘missing. No one knows where they’ve been taken, and whether they have been tortured and need medical attention. This from a statement released by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign (via SW Radio Africa)
There are disturbing reports that Professor Arthur Mutambara, the leader of the MDC pro-senate group is missing and his condition could not be ascertained amid these wanton attacks against the leadership of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign. The same status surrounds Tendai Biti, the secretary general of the anti-senate MDC who was arrested together with Mutambara.
5. Denial of legal representation
The Zimbabwe police refused to allow Morgan Tsvangirai’s lawyer to see him. Another lawyer from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said there had never been such a broad crackdown on opposition figures there. “In terms of magnitude and profile, I’d safely say it’s unprecedented,” he said (link Washington Post).
6. Ongoing police intimidation of civilians in Highfields, including possible use of violence
Riot police are still patrolling Highfields, a high density area in Harare:
Dozens of police riot squads in trucks and on foot – armed with shotguns, teargas canisters and launchers, rubber batons, shields, and wearing protective helmets – patrolled the dusty streets of Highfield, a Harare suburb.
“It’s quiet today. There is lots of anger but also lots of fear after what happened yesterday,” a security guard said. (link - Herald Sun)
In addition to that an MDC spokesperson said that “Police are moving into people’s residential houses and beating up the young
men” (The Scotsman)
7. Scores of activists arrested
More than 100 activists have been arrested, most scattered through prisons in Harare. These were people who wanted nothing more than to rally together in a peaceful non violent protest against the human rights violations, and deteriorating socio-economi conditions in Zimbabwe.
Read the full Save Zimbabwe Campaign statement here
March 12th, 2007 21:29
The examples of the Mugabe government’s abuses have never been lacking, that is for sure. I hope for the sake of those living there that the rest of the world will apply much-needed political pressure as a result of this weekend’s unfortunate events.
I am glad to have discovered your blog. You have amassed an incredible array of links to some great sites for your blogroll. I look forward to visiting again in the future.
Keep up the great blogging!
March 13th, 2007 08:44
Although im not from zimbabwe i read about whats happening over there very sad stuff i understand,
Makes me feel happy to actually be in united state, Where actually safe with out a care in the world.
March 14th, 2007 16:34
I just want to say thanks for spreading the false rumours about mike davies and arthur mutambare, who were both safe in cells in Harare and were not assaulted. Your posts managed to scare a lot of people around the world before the news was found to be false. Next time, check your facts.
March 15th, 2007 17:37
its saddening and sickening what is happening back home.the only way forward is sacrificing like what is happening now.things are coming to an end.what goes round comes round.
March 17th, 2007 21:45
This is for you Zimbo - hang on there for a minute - you say ’spreading false rumours about Mike Davies and comrade Arthur Mutambare being safe in prison in Harare.’ Correct me if I am wrong, but from my knowledge ‘being in prison in Zimbabwe for political reasons is no different from being battered by the Zimbabwean militia.’ I may be wrong here, but psychological torture is something that destroys the soul more than physical torture. This is because bruises and broken bones are visible - hence attract sympathy, whereas psychological torture brings about that lone anguish ‘umzwangedwa’ in Ndebele. That pain and anger that eats you away slowly and painfully whilst the world goes by.
From my point of view, and talking from experience here, Mugabe’s brutality destroys people like Mike and Arthur, just as it does comrade Tsvangirayi. So whether one is in a cell or in hospital - the call for all is to unite and fight Mugabe. Nothing will make compassionate people like me happier than seeing Ndebeles, Shonas and white people of Zimbabwe unite against a common enemy-Mugabe. The traitor of Africa - lets face facts - he is not even a Zimbabwean.
March 22nd, 2007 16:03
o my lord what is happening to zimbo .may the good lord intervene.hameno
August 20th, 2007 10:23
well mgabe is a bad leader. he has no ethics or values in looking out for his people and his country. He is a terrible leader and it is suprising that he is still runnin that country it is a shame that south africans have live in even more constant fear with the people comin to our country. I strongly think that mgugabe needs to be tought by Nelson Mandela on how to be a good leader becos he jus does not do justice to his title. Zim should be heavily sanctioned as SA was during apartheid. The people in Zim sud put up a fight like how the South Africans did not run away from the country
August 22nd, 2007 09:17
I have relatives in Zimbabwe, my Father in Law
and mother in-law, sister & brother in law still are living in Harare. My Father in law is very sick and in Hospital, my Mother in Law
has no petrol for their Car to go and see him,
what if he dies and she couldn’t say goodbye,
what desperation must these people sink to, to
be near their loved ones
August 27th, 2007 07:19
this blog seems to be responsible for spinning a lot of lies.
August 31st, 2007 15:39
You people need to realise that Zanu is in control and always will be. “ZEZURU power”! Anyway, instead of trying to oppose Zanu, you need to join and maybe try and change things from within. Don’t you see that ‘Bob’ doesn’t want any opposition and he is NOT going to give up power to a bunch of cowards who had nothing to do with the liberisation of the country?
I am not in Zim but if/when I come back, I will be a staunch Zanu supporter. Does Tsvangirai even know what an AK 47 is? Would he be able to endure 11 long years away from wife and family as did Mugabe when he was encarcerated? Yes, maybe Mudhara got carried away here and there but you have to recognise that he is a true politician! Maybe try diplomacy and see if it might achieve results instead of using chisimba cos Mugabe understands that more than anybody in Zimbabwe!
I have to give Tsvangirai a hi5 for having the balls to come out pachena with his political ambitions but you guys are a joke and need to put someone else in his position, preferably more presentable and with a wide vocab than Morgan. Oh, make sure its a muzezuru!
September 3rd, 2007 07:59
Nkomo did his best. tsvangirai maybe, maybe tsvangirayi does not know an AK, but definetly no Zezuru, thank you for destroying Zimbabwe, it is nothing now, now matabeleland will be free, the British who supported Mugabe over Nkomo have left.