relatively steady in their occurrence. The variation in the violations is described in Figure 1, which sets out the variations for a number of selected violations. Figure 1 Comparison of selected violations, July 2001 to September 2006 3000 Number of violations 2500 2000 arrest & detention 1500 torture 1000 political discrimination interference w ith freedoms 500 assault 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Year It can be seen that there are increases in unlawful arrest and detention and interference with freedoms, which largely correspond to the promulgation and use of the Public Order and Security Act [POSA]. The ZRP use POSA as a pretext for frequent arrest, but rarely are able to obtain convictions.55 Recently the charges against members of WOZA were dismissed in two recent court cases.56 A similar charge against Dr Madhuku of the NCA was also recently dismissed. Torture showed a steady decline from the peak of 2002, but started to increase again in 2006. Assaults seem to be maintained at a steady level since 2003. The reason for examining the involvement of the ZRP in human rights violations is obvious: there are an enormous number of reported violations since 2001, and even more if data from 2006 was included in the data provided by the Monthly Political Violence Reports. This can all be termed 55 See Solidarity Peace Trust (2004), “Disturbing the peace”. An overview of civilian arrests in Zimbabwe: February 2003 – January 2004. July 2004. (Zimbabwe and South Africa 2004) 56 “Victory for WOZA again as Bulawayo activists acquitted” SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news, 7 November 2006. Who guards the guards? Violations by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, 2000 to 2006