493 Zimbabweans were victims of organised violence and torture by State security agents & Zanu PF activists

Statistics contained in the report released by the US embassy in Harare on Monday state that 493 Zimbabweans were victims of organised violence and torture by State security agents and Zanu PF activists between January and August 2016.

Part of the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour human rights report reads:

Human rights groups reported the continuance of physical and psychological torture perpetrated by security agents and Zanu PF supporters. Reported torture methods included beating victims with sticks, clubs, whips, cables, and sjamboks (a heavy whip); burning; falanga (beating the soles of the feet), electric shock, solitary confinement, sleep deprivation and forcing victims into sex acts. According to one [non-governmental organisation] NGO, from January through August, 493 victims of organised violence and torture sought medical treatment and counselling after sustaining injuries in separate incidents across the country. The NGO reported the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) was responsible for 66% of the violations, while Zanu PF supporters were responsible for 25% of the violations.

Among the victims mentioned in the report are a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) official from Gwanda who was allegedly tortured by State security agents before he was released. Tajamuka/Sesijikile activist Sylvanos Mudzvova, who was abducted from his home in Harare, was subjected to electric shocks on his feet and genitals while being interrogating before his interrogators left him unconscious several miles outside of Harare.

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