Amnesty International has condemned police brutality after a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporter was hospitalised after he was assaulted by members of Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Harare on 17 March.
Responding to the assault and torture of CCC member, Godfrey Karembera, better known as Madzibaba VeShanduko, Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa, said:
This brutal and vicious assault against Godfrey Karembera is meant to intimidate political opposition supporters in Zimbabwe ahead of the upcoming by-elections
This brutal and vicious assault against Godfrey Karembera is meant to intimidate political opposition supporters in Zimbabwe ahead of the upcoming by-elections.
This attack is a chilling reminder of the country’s history of unlawful use of force by police around elections.
It sends a message to supporters of the opposition that they will pay a price for aligning with the political party of their choice.
The police claim that Godfrey Karembera, known as Madzibaba Veshanduko, used abusive language against them or tried to deface the statue of Mbuya Nehanda holds no water.
Police are trained to enforce the law and not to break it themselves – they must use the proper process to deal with suspected criminals including bringing them to court for a fair trial.
The police in question must be investigated and those found responsible must be brought to justice.
ZRP justified the assault of Karembera in a statement that he was “engaging in unsanctioned political activities in the Harare Central District”.
This comes after Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga, on 26 February this year, threatened the opposition CCC saying the ruling ZANU-PF party would “crush the party like lice”.