Zimbabwe at the precipice as illegal arrests, abductions, and torture increase before and after 31st July National Demonstration
Zimbabweans called for an expression of national disaffection through a countrywide demonstration which was successfully held on 31st July 2020 against endemic corruption by the Harare regime. The demonstration was very peaceful as Zimbabweans shutdown the country and were not provoked by the state’s show of force through widespread deployment of the heavily armed military and the police. Tragically, the peaceful Zimbabweans who managed to conduct themselves maturely and in an unprecedented show of unity were soon victims of police, army, and Zanu PF vigilante brutality. There are numerous cases of human rights violations ranging from illegal arrests to torture as this expose will show.

Prior to the demonstrations that were called by the convener of the 31st July protests Mr. Jacob Ngarivhume, the country and the world witnessed not only his illegal arrest but the subsequent illegal arrest and detention of award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who had exposed corruption surrounding the Covid-19 PPEs purchase by the Minister of Health Mr. Obadiah Moyo. On the day of the demonstration, renowned writer Tsitsi Dangarembga, MDC Alliance Spokesperson Fadzai Mahere, activist Julie Barnes, and journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu’s nephew Tawanda Mucheiwa were arrested and illegally detained for allegedly inciting public violence. In order to intimidate organizers of the 31st July protest, the Zimbabwe Republic Police issued a public appeal and interest in the following activists: Makomborero Haruzivishe, Godfrey Kurauone, Ostallos Siziba, Job Sikhala, Promise Mkwananzi, Denford Ngadziore, Allan Moyo, Obey Sithole, Orbert Masaraure, Jimmy Kunaka, Peter Mutasa, Robson Chere, Stephen Chuma, and Godfrey Tsenengamu.

Tawanda Mucheiwa who lives in Bulawayo was abducted, tortured, and illegally detained. The Zimbabwe 3 (Cecilia Chimbiri, Joan Momembe, and Netsai Marova) who had reported to Harare Magistrate court for routine remand hearing were sexually harassed by security forces on their way to court. Tawanda Mucheiwa has reported that his abductors identified themselves as the “Feret” team which is a shadowy security apparatus that includes Law and Order, Central Intelligence Organization, and Military Intelligence officers. Activist Takunda Madzana who lives in Bulawayo was also abducted, tortured, and dumped in the middle of nowhere.
A cause for concern is the widespread immunity enjoyed by the security forces and the impunity with which they execute the unconstitutional, barbaric, and illegal acts that are sanctioned by Zanu PF political leaders who held press conferences one after another and labeled opposition activists terrorists and urged their supporters to defend themselves physically. Deputy Minister Victor Matemadanda and politiburo member Patrick Chinamasa encouraged the illegal acts. Currently, numerous activists are in hiding for fear of abductions, illegal detention, and torture. As a result, 31st July Movement Spokesperson Job Sikhala has called for more protests between 10 August and 15th August 2020 geared towards condemning the rampant human rights abuses that the state has been guilty of during the clampdown.

By 31st JULY MOVEMENT Advocacy Department
Twitter: @JulyMovement
Email: [email protected]