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Released student describes inhuman and degrading police torture
Violet Gonda, SW Radio Africa
May 16, 2006

http://www.swradioafrica.com/news160506/torture160506.htm

The students who were arrested for taking part in anti-fee hikes at Bindura University last week allege they were assaulted and treated to inhuman and degrading treatment by the police. Part of this degrading treatment involved performing simulated sex acts.

One of those seriously injured was Zimbabwe National Students Union Secretary General Beloved Chiweshe. He said, "The treatment was quite bad. We were beaten thoroughly with clenched fists, baton sticks, wooden sticks. We were asked to roll on the ground and imitate intimate acts. Even our female comrades were asked to lie on the ground and they were assaulted on their backs with baton sticks and I am touched and I am saddened by the treatment we received from the police at Bindura Police Station.

But I know the good Lord will judge them harshly."

Asked what he meant by being made to imitate intimate acts Chiweshe said, "We were asked to lie on the ground naked. We were stripped stark naked and pretend as if you had the companion of a woman and pretend you were being intimate with her while the rest of the officers watched and laughed and mocked you as you were in such an act."

The student leader said they were put into three cells. One for the males and the other for the females but he was placed in solitary confinement in leg irons. He said this was because the police had labeled him a terrorist and separated him from the others so he wouldn’t influence them. "I was said to have embarked on an terror-tourism campaigning around the country. But I insist I am fighting for the serious cause of students that education is a basic right." He said that he was put in a cold cell without a blanket and the students were denied access to their lawyers or medical treatment.

Their lawyers are also reported to have been harassed and threatened. Harare based lawyer Andrew Makoni confirmed to us recently that he had missed a bail hearing in Bindura after he had been notified that there would be trouble.

The demonstrations at Bindura University started last week Monday after students protested against the new fee structures which culminated in the astronomical increases in tuition and accommodation fees in all state tertiary institutions. 15 were arrested at that time and their lawyer Makoni confirmed that all of them were tortured. They appeared in court but were denied bail.

A few days later disgruntled students ran amok at the university and in retaliation torched a building at the institution. More students were arrested. By Wednesday it was reported that there were at least 50 students in police custody.

The students were divided up and sent to various police stations. Some were sent to Harare’s Chikurubi and Harare Remand Prison while others remained in Bindura holding cells.

The 10 in Bindura appeared in court Monday and were granted bail. ZINASU coordinator Washington Katema said the bail covered all students who were put on remand. He said all students have now been released except for one who is at Chikurubi.

Several of the released students, including Beloved Chiweshe, were treated at the Avenues Clinic in Harare. Two are said to have been hospitalised.

When asked if he will demonstrate again after this treatment Chiweshe said, "The ill-treatment gives me the determination and courage to fight even more… we are going to continue demonstrating until the majority of the students are able to have access to tertiary education."

All the arrested students are expected to appear in court on the 26th May. The police in Bindura and Harare refused to comment.

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