Zimbabwe+leaders+tortured+in+detention,+SW+Radio+Africa+News

SW Radio Africa News, 12 March 2007, 20:31
=Zimbabwe opposition and civic leaders tortured in detention=


 * By Violet Gonda**

Shocking reports emerged Monday saying several opposition and civic leaders who where arrested on Sunday were tortured in police custody. The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, who have been monitoring the arrests and trying to send food into the prisons for those in detention, say it’s been difficult to locate the detainees as the police keep moving them from one detention centre to another.

Pedzisai Ruhanya a journalist and officer with the Coalition gave us a run down on the status and whereabouts of some of the political detainees. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is said to have been beaten unconscious and could not walk. He is currently at Borrowdale police station.

NCA chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku sustained deep lacerations on the scalp and a fractured arm. Although he was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital for urgent treatment on Monday morning, the civic leader was taken back to Marlborough police station.

The leader of the other MDC, Professor Arthur Mutambara is detained at Avondale police station. Ruhanya said: “We understand he is being ill-treated there and we are told Professor Mutambara is not eating. I think he is refusing to eat protesting against his detention.’

Lawyers and visitors are being refused access to the detainees. At the time of broadcast lawyers Innocent Chagonda and Beatrice Mtetwa were preparing an urgent High Court application to get access and independent medical treatment for the victims.

The Coalition said they know of between 30 and 40 people who were arrested but it’s believed there are many others.

The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights issued a statement calling for the immediate release to a medical facility for urgent medical treatment of injured opposition and civic leaders. The group said: “The lives of those arrested and tortured continue to be threatened by refusal of access to medical treatment.”

Some of the officials arrested include Tsvangirai MDC secretary general Tendai Biti who is being held at Rhodesville. The Coalition said Grace Kwinjeh, the Tsvangirai MDC deputy secretary for International Relations, is reported to be in a critical state after sustaining head injuries. Kwinjeh is being held at the notorious Braeside police station with 4 other detainees.

There are also serious concerns about the health of MDC official Sekai Holland who is being held at Avondale police station.

Ruhanya said: “At Highlands police station there is Nelson Chamisa (spokesperson & MP) and Mike Davies from the Harare Combined Residents Association. I am told these two guys were assaulted at Goromonzi torture camps… and have now been moved to Highlands. We have not been allowed to talk to them or see them but we left food for them.”

Meanwhile the Save Zimbabwe Campaign said: “In a typical fascist behaviour and reminiscent of Rhodesian political thuggery, the Zimbabwean police thoroughly assaulted leaders of the Save Zimbabwe Convention while in custody contrary to the provisions of the law and international statutes governing the treatment of detainees.”

Among the Save Zimbabwe Campaign leaders arrested were, Morgan Changamire, Willas Madzimure (MP), Alois Dzvairo, Madock Chivasa, Elton Mangoma and Tsvangirai’s personal assistant William Bango. Also arrested were Gladys Hlatywayo, Manex Mawuya, Frank Chamunorwa, Linos Mushonga, Godfrey Gumbo, Clever Kafero.

MDC and NCA activist Gift Tandari was shot dead on Sunday. He leaves behind a wife and three children. One observer said: “I certainly hope that the funeral for poor Tandari is going to be a huge gathering for all of us who demand democracy. I hope that all those involved in the opposition to this criminal regime make full use of this mindless killing to achieve every degree of discomfort to Mugabe and his criminals. It would be no less than Tandari himself would have wanted.”

Meanwhile the U.S. government has issued a statement condemning the arrests of the political & civic leaders and has called for the immediate release of those detained.


 * [|**www.swradioafrica.com**]**


 * Violet Gonda violet@swradioafrica.com**

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