Human rights violations surge in Zimbabwe with 137 cases in June

TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA 

HARARE – In June, Zimbabwe witnessed 137 incidents of human rights violations, predominantly perpetrated by members of the ruling ZANU-PF party, according to the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) monthly monitoring report.

ZPP highlighted the case of Jameson Timba and 78 other CCC activists in pointing out the police brutality in the country. 

The reported violations encompassed a range of abuses, including infringements on freedom of assembly and association, harassment and intimidation, violations of the right to equality and non-discrimination, unlawful detention, and breaches of personal security.

The report revealed that 50.5 percent of the 3137 victims were male, while 49.5 percent were female. ZANU-PF members were responsible for 65.37 percent of the violations. 

Members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) accounted for 9.73 percent, traditional leaders 9.34 percent, municipal officers 5.84 percent, and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and Forever Associate Zimbabwe (FAZ) members 2.72 percent and 0.78 percent, respectively. A remaining 6.23 percent were not classified.

Highlighting a specific instance of concern, ZPP referenced the ongoing case of Jameson Timba and 78 other activists, who remain in pretrial detention for holding an unsanctioned gathering last month. 

Their incarceration, according to ZPP, contravenes fundamental constitutional liberties. They were denied bail by the Magistrates Court, and the High Court subsequently dismissed their bail appeal.

"The denial of bail was unjust as many victims detained were visibly in excruciating pain from the injuries obtained from the brutality of the police during the arrest and in custody," ZPP stated. 

"Upon arrest, several victims were forced to crawl for more than three meters towards police vehicles."

The report further detailed the harsh conditions faced by the detainees, including exposure to teargas during the police's forceful entry into Timba's private residence. Among the arrested was a pregnant young woman. 

The report also noted a tragic incident where one of the detained women lost her firstborn child while in remand prison and was subsequently denied permission to attend the funeral after the Magistrate postponed the bail ruling.

ZPP recommended that the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission investigate the police brutality experienced by the victims during their arrest and detention.