ZimRights Condemns the Torture of Civilians by the Zimbabwe Republic Police
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) grieves with the young women who have become the latest victims of state terrorism in Zimbabwe.
On Wednesday 13 March 2020, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) abducted three opposition leaders at a roadblock in Harare. The young women are; Ms. Joanna Mamombe – a Member of Parliament for Harare West, Ms. Cecilia Chimbiri – the National Vice Chairperson of the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly, and Ms. Netsai Marova – the Deputy Organising Secretary of the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly.
Following the arrest, the Police National Spokesperson Paul Nyathi was quoted in the Herald confirming this arrest, and said he was not aware of where they were being held.
The ZRP Official Twitter account issued a statement claiming the three were not in custody of the police, and this triggered fears of abduction.
On Thursday night, the three were found dumped near Bindura. Medical evidence suggests that the three were subjected to torture which may have included torture of a sexual nature. The victims report that they were abducted from Harare Central Police Station. This is evidence that whatever happened to them after the arrest was state sanctioned.
