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Arrested activists assaulted by police
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
February 24, 2011

Twelve of the 46 activists arrested on Saturday 19 February 2011 for allegedly holding a meeting to "organise, strategise and implement the removal of a constitutional government of Zimbabwe by unconstitutional means, the Egyptian way" were allegedly assaulted while at the Harare Central Police Station Law and Order Section, it emerged today.

The allegations were made during submissions by Defense Attorney, Alec Muchadehama as part of six complaints raised by the activists against the state. Allegations are that the 12, including former Highfields legislator, Mr. Munyaradzi Gwisai, human rights activists Hopewell Gumbo and student activists, Welcome Zimuto were tortured while detained at Harare central Police Station by police officers from the notorious Law and Order Section. It is alleged that the twelve were led individually to a basement at the police station where five police officers and unidentified individuals working under the instruction of the police took turns to assault the activists under their feet and on the buttocks. The activists also allege that the assaults were videotaped in what Mr. Muchadehama referred to as 'sadistic way'.

The activists through their lawyer also raised the following five complaints against the state;

1. That they were unlawfully detained for a period exceeding the legally accepted maximum 48 hours before one is arraigned before the courts
2. That they were not informed about the charges until the 23rd of February when they made their initial appearance before Magistrate Mutevedzi despite legal provisions imploring the police to lay the charges at the time of one's arrest
3. The activists were coaxed by the police to admit to the charges
4. That they were denied access to medical attention despite the fact that one of the activists was operated for a brain tumor and remains in need of constant medical attention and some of the arrested are on Anti-Retroviral drugs
5. That the activists were not provided with adequate bedding and that there was no running water at the Harare Central Prison.

The activists were remanded in custody until Monday 28 February 2011 when the state is expected to respond to the submissions by the defense.

Zhombe MP in police custody

Zhombe Member of Parliament representing the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T), Rodger Tazviona is in police custody at Kwekwe Central Police Station following his arrest in Monday 21 February 2011 under unclear circumstances, The Catalyst has learnt. Honourable Tazviona, who was due to appear before a Kwekwe Magistrate this afternoon for his bail hearing, failed to turn up in court as the prison service pointed out that they had no fuel to transport the legislator. Court proceeded with the hearing in his absence and denied him bail. Tazviona was further remanded in custody pending trial on Monday 28 February 2011.

Mwonzora still languishing in prison

The MDC-T MP for Nyanga North, Honourable Douglas Mwonzora is till languishing in prison three days after the courts granted him bail. The prosecution invoked the notorious Section 12 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act (CPEA) on the 21st of February 2011 following the Legislator's successful bail application. The section gives the Attorney General's office power to reverse a bail decision for seven days pending appeal.

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