Vusumuzi Moyo, Samuel Gwenzi, Namatai Kwekweza, and Robson
Chere, were forcibly removed from a plane bound for Victoria Falls, and
reportedly tortured while being held incommunicado for hours.
They appeared at the Harare Magistrate Court on Friday
facing charges of disorderly conduct after they were allegedly involved in a
demonstration against Timba’s detention.
The courtroom fell silent as lawyers Jeremiah Bhamu,
Tinashe Chinopfukutwa, Roseline Hanzi, and Charles Kwaramba from the Zimbabwe
Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) described the systematic assault their clients
faced.
Namatai Kwekweza, a human rights activist, was subjected to
particularly cruel treatment. One of her assailants, fully aware of her recent
dental procedure, deliberately shoved a shoe into her mouth, inflicting
excruciating pain. A metal bar was also forced into her mouth, further
compounding her suffering.
Kwekweza was also threatened with further violence if she
refused to cooperate. Her phone, laptop, and passport were seized.
The cruelty of their actions was intensified by the fact
that Kwekweza was not even in Zimbabwe when the alleged crime was committed at
the Harare Magistrate Court on June 27, 2024.
Moyo who is said to be a sound engineer for a prominent
musician was also beaten up.
Robson Chere, a prominent activist, described a relentless
assault that left him physically and emotionally scarred.
He was allegedly beaten with an iron bar, leaving him with
bloodshot eyes for two days. His phone was used to record the assault, further
adding to his humiliation.
Chere’s ordeal continued with waterboarding, a terrifying
torture technique. His dreadlocks were forcibly cut off, a deliberate act of
humiliation.
His lawyers detailed how the assailants threatened to kill
him or rape his wife if any demonstrations took place ahead of the SADC Summit.
They also made chilling threats against his family.
Samuel Gwenzi, another human rights defender, recounted
being struck with open palms and iron bars.
He was forced to chant Zanu-PF slogans and declare his
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party a “Western puppet party.” The
assailants also threatened to kill other opposition leaders, including Ostalos
Siziba and Takudzwa Ngadziore, if they planned any protests. They even
threatened to harm Gwenzi’s children.
Gwenzi’s phone was seized, and he was subjected to further
beatings.
In response, the state, represented by Brian Chirenje,
simply stated that they had initiated investigations into the matter. CITE
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