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It is important to see that it is not only the usual agencies that are involved in torture, but
that many different agencies from the State are involved. This is important for the
purposes of establishing the definition of torture [see below].
U.T. (aged 40), a lab technician living in Chitungwiza, was terrorized by the
police. His home was raided in the middle of the night and he was abducted and
tortured at police headquarters. They destroyed the entrance gates to his
property.
The definition also allows the possibility that agencies acting with the “acquiesance of
the State” can commit torture and thus these acts will also conform to the definition of
torture.
ZANU (PF) members and war veterans assaulted P.M., (aged 35)
living in Dotito, on 8 March 2001 in Hotera Village. Three of the
attackers were identified as: Jigu, Joseph Kambanje, Cain Muchena.
They struck him with planks and sticks on his back and his buttocks,
while he was lying face down. He fainted, and his buttocks were set
afire resulting in severe burns. He suffered multiple injuries and
developed blisters. His attackers returned on 23 March 2001 and
ordered him to leave his house and go to Morgan Tsvangirai, head of
the MDC, for a place to stay. The matter was reported to the ZRP of
Mount Darwin, but no action was taken. He fled the area with his
family. His wife and other members of his immediate family are staying
with relatives.
K.M. (aged 32) was assaulted in the Tshovani Township by the
chairman of the war veterans, Boniface Mutemachani, and a second
assailant with a pick handle. He suffered a broken leg. He received
medical treatment in Chiredzi.
The last case does not conform to the definition of torture, but would be better described
as organised violence since there are no State officials or agents acting with the
acquiesance ot the State.
MDC supporters severely attacked Chief Chiweshe in Centenary town
on 15 April with machetes, sticks and clenched fists. Chief Chiweshe
sustained serious injuries and was taken to St. Albert’s Mission for
treatment. It is suspected that the chief was attacked because he is
thought to have led ZANU (PF) supporters in disrupting the funeral of
Ndoga Mupesa. Mr. Mupesa was an MDC supporter allegedly
murdered by ZANU (PF) supporters. Linceman Usavihwevhu and
Skinner Chimusisi were arrested for the attack on Chief Chiweshe and
charged with attempted murder.
The findings of the Human Rights Forum are additionally supported by the findings of
the IRCT, which conducted a mission again to Zimbabwe in June 2001. The responsible
person, Dr Inge Genefke, Honorary Secretary-General of the IRCT, examined 5 victims.
Some were tortured during the pre-election period last year, while some were tortured
this year. She also interviewed 5 others. The conclusions are quite plain:
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