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Soldiers brutalising civilians at NOCZIM Mabvuku turn off
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
October 08, 2010

Zimbabwe Defence Force (ZDF) members manning the NOCZIM Mabvuku depot are victimising civilians who are caught near the establishment.

The NOCZIM depot has been designated a high security zone and signs have been put up to communicate this to the public. However, these signs are situated in a dense forest, thus obscuring them from most people. To make matters worse, they are also about 200 metres from the main road. This poses a challenge to motorists because the signs are too far.

People caught roaming around or who get lost around the area are called in and force-marched into the depot. It is reported that they are then put in front of a fire tender water outlet where the taps are opened. The pressure is so great that the victims are knocked down. Some who are more fortunate are made to open their pockets and water is poured into their pockets. After this ordeal they are then beaten up using sticks pruned from trees that surround the depot.

ZimRights deplores this kind of barbaric behaviour from members of the uniformed forces, subjecting people to inhuman and degrading treatment, which is a clear violation of one's rights. We call upon the authorities to deal with this abuse. It is not the responsibility of the army to arrest and try, or to punish civilians. Rather the apprehended people should be taken to the police so that a docket is opened for prosecution and from there the law may take its course.

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