Case Reports
These patients were seen by members of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human
Rights and represent a small sample of the total number seen by doctors throughout the
country.
All names have been removed for the safety of the victims, as there has been retribution
inflicted on people seeking medical treatment.
Case 1
35 year old Male from Glen View 1, Harare, Zimbabwe.
History
“They came to my house at about 3am today, Wednesday 4 th June, 2003. There were between 10 and
20 soldiers dressed in camouflage uniform and carrying AK 47 rifles and batons. There were a few
men in civilian clothing. They broke open the front door of my house, shouting to me to get out of the
house and open the garden gate. When I had opened the gate the soldiers called my neighbours (2
men) and told us to sit by my front door. We were then made to lie on our stomachs and the soldiers
beat us with the batons. They were shouting “What’s happening at this house, are you having
meetings?” I did not recognise any of the assailants. After they had beaten us they stole my cell phone
and $5000 cash from me. I sustained injuries to my back, upper arms and sides. I noticed that they
were in a large green army lorry.
Examination findings
The victim had
extensive bruising
over his back and
upper arms and
shoulder, many
linear and some
confluent,
consistent with
assault with
batons. He also
had deep bruising
of his buttocks
and posterior
thighs consistent
with repeated
assault with blunt
heavy objects.
Case 1 photograph