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Riot Police set dogs on NCA demonstrators, Madhuku beaten and left for dead
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
February 05, 2004

Heavily armed anti-riot police on Wednesday descended on National Constitutional Assembly demonstrators outside the Parliament building and set dogs on them in a bid to thwart the demonstration for a new constitution and the call for an end to human rights abuses in the country.

Dr Lovemore Madhuku, the NCA Chairman and Bopoto Nyandoro, the organisation’s chairman for Mashonaland East province and other demonstrators were bundled into a police truck and severely beaten and dumped in a bush on the outskirts of Harare.

Four women were mauled by police dogs and are reportedly battling for life at a private clinic in Harare. Madock Chivasa, the NCA Advocacy Vice-chairman says that more than 130 protestors who were arrested during yesterday’s demonstration were asked to pay Z$10 000.00 each as admission of guilty fine.

We condemn the brutality that the police demonstrate each time they deal with peaceful demonstrators. The Crisis Coalition is disturbed that the police that is supposed to protect the people is setting dogs on NCA members who were expressing their legitimate concerns such as the demand for a new democratic constitution. Zimbabweans are once again vindicated for their demands for the respect of freedom of expression and assembly that are constitutionally guaranteed rights.

The Crisis Coalition warns that there can be no amount of force, even the force of a hurricane that can stop or deter the peoples’ resolve for democracy and good governance as enshrined in the constitution.

Visit the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition fact sheet

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