The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has on May 21 served both the Commissioner General of The Zimbabwe Republic Police and The Honourable Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage with the Petition to investigate and prosecute human rights violators .
This follows the abduction and torture of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance Member of Parliament Joana Mamombe and Youth Assembly leaders Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova on 13 May at a roadblock along Samora Machel avenue in Harare. ” As the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum we are appalled and registers deepest contempt of the abduction and torture of these three Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance members ” said Jestina Mukoko chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
We noted the article in a state publication on 14 May in which the national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was quoted confirming the trio’s arrest , although he was still to find out where they were being held and according to the collaboration from the trio they were initially taken to Harare Central Police Station upon arrest, we noted further on the social media communications of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) through their Twitter handle to the effect that the trio was not in police custody. Cogent explanation on how and why the trio, if indeed were in police custody left that custody, similarly, explanation is needed on the contradictory statements issued by the police” elaborated Jestina Mukoko.
Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum said since the inception of the COVID-19 national lockdown up to date they have documented two hundred and forty five cases of unlawful arrests and assault perpetrated by the Zimbabwe Republic Police .On 16 April 2020 in Bulawayo six members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police unlawfully arrested and assaulted Nokuthula Mpofu and Ntombizodwa Mpofu.” The unlawful arrests and assault of these two ladies resulting in grievous harm was of such intensity that it attracted the attention of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission with a team of the commission visiting the victims to assess the harm done ” narrated Dzikamai Dere the Director of the Forum.
The Human Rights NGO Forum also said the cycle of impunity by some Zimbabwe Republic Police officers be broken by having the Commissioner General of police and the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage fully investigate and ensure accountability of officers who assaulted Nokuthula Mpofu and Ntombizodwa Mpofu and bring justice to the victims so as to send a clear warning to all police officers to desist from such conduct.
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