VII. A Politicized and Partisan Police Force Despite the strictures of the Police Act, since 2000 the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)—especially its senior officers—has become increasingly partisan on matters of a political nature. As long ago as January 15, 2001, Police Commissioner Chihuri stated openly that he supported ZANU-PF because it was the party in government, and that he would resign if another political party came to power.73 Beyond statements, however, this partisanship manifests itself in repressive, politicized policing. When a judge or a magistrate rules contrary to the government in “political” cases, the police frequently ignore court orders. Even well-intentioned prosecutors who have sought to prosecute all offenders have been undermined by the police, who as a matter of policy in “political” cases only arrest MDC activists. ZANU-PF activists and their allies who commit crimes in the context of political matters go free. In a report following a fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe in June 2002, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights condemned the ZRP’s partisan stance and its routine abuse of human rights. The Commission noted that the Law and Order unit was the worst problem and called for it to be disbanded. It said that the unit seemed to “operate under political instructions and without accountability to the ZRP command structures.”74 The Commission urged Zimbabwe to “avoid any further politicization of the police service.”75 Human Rights Watch investigations into subsequent police behavior show that this advice went unheeded. The ZANU-PF-led government has never condemned partisan policing nor taken action against police abuse of power. The cue has come from the highest level. In September 2006, following police beatings of Zimbabwe Congress 73 “Chihuri trashes impartiality of police,” The Daily News (Zimbabwe), January 16, 2001. 74 The African Commission Mission Report, Executive Summary of African Commission’s Fact-Finding Mission to Zimbabwe 24 to 28th June 2002, (2002). 75 Ibid. “Our Hands Are Tied” 24