In the community

Nkayi villagers demand justice after police brutality

Published

7 days ago

September 11, 2024

BY ZLHR

More than 10 Nkayi villagers have asked Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) authorities to take remedial action against some delinquent police officers, who ill-treated them by severely assaulting them and coercing them to sing some liberation songs.

The 11 villagers, who reside in Tshayane village in Ward 6 in Nkayi in Matabeleland North province, who, include three teenagers, namely Siphiwe Sibanda aged 18 years, Bekithemba Lunga aged 19 years and a 13 year-old minor and Philemon Ncube aged 21 years, Precious Nkiwane aged 25 years, Mxolisi Ncube aged 27 years, Sitshengisiwe Tshuma aged 38 years, Siphiwe Ncube aged 45 years, Douglas Lunga aged 46 years, Rueben Ncube aged 52 years and Chiedza Takaendesa aged 55 years, were left nursing some injuries after they were severely assaulted by seven ZRP officers from Manoti Police Station in Gokwe in Midlands province, who went on a rampage on 14 July 2024.

In a letter of complaint written to the Officer In Charge of Manoti Police Station by the Nkayi villagers’ lawyers Jabulani Mhlanga and Prisca Dube of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the villagers protested against the conduct of the police officers for conducting a violent operation across three homesteads belonging to the Sibanda, Ncube, and Lunga families, under the pretext of investigating a case of alleged theft of diesel belonging to Oscar Mawarire, local entrepreneur.

Mhlanga and Dube stated that the ZRP officers, who were armed with a rifle, truncheons and whips, unlawfully assaulted the villagers including a minor, using excessive force and without just cause.

In addition, Mhlanga and Dube stated that the villagers were coerced into singing some liberation songs in Shona language and were further assaulted for allegedly failing to sing the songs correctly.

The ZRP officers, Mhlanga and Dube said, rummaged through the villagers’ homesteads even though they did not have search warrants authorising their actions and proceeded to seize various tools from the homesteads, alleging that they were weapons that were used by the villagers in committing some criminal activities.

The human rights lawyers said although Mawarire, who is the complainant in the matter, informed the ZRP officers that the villagers were not the people whom he suspected of stealing his diesel, the law enforcement agents insisted on arresting the villagers and subsequently, seven of them were arrested and taken to a police post located at Kana Mission.

The villagers, Mhlanga and Dube said, were not given an opportunity to wear their shoes or warm clothing and neither were they informed of their rights at the time of being apprehended.

The ZRP officers reportedly threatened to make an example of the villagers in order to deter “Ndebele thieves” from crossing into “Shona territory” and were once again subjected to further physical abuse and forced to sing more liberation songs.

At the police base, the villagers were made to sleep on concrete floors, without the provision of blankets and with no ablution facilities, with men being handcuffed to each other.

The villagers were all released on 15 July 2024 after being ordered to pay US$30 each per person by a police officer, who only identified himself as Dube but were not issued with any receipts acknowledging payment of what was supposed to be an admission of guilt fine and were also not furnished with some request for medical report forms in order for them to seek medical attention at government-run medical facilities.

The villagers only received medical treatment for their injuries at a private medical facility and afterwards engaged Mhlanga and Dube, who on 1 August 2024 wrote a letter of complaint to the Officer in Charge of Manoti Police Station demanding that the law enforcement agency conduct an investigation into the ill-treatment and assault of the Nkayi villagers and take remedial action against the perpetrators of such brutality.

The human rights lawyers protested against the violation of the villagers’ fundamental rights including the right to liberty, right to dignity, the right to bodily and psychological integrity, protection from cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment and the right to equality and non-discrimination, all enshrined in the Constitution.

The conduct of the ZRP officers, Mhlanga and Dube said, amounts to a serious breach of their constitutional mandate and hence the perpetrators of the brutal assault of the villagers should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Hwange

Father in court for rape of daughter

Published

19 hours ago

September 17, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 31-year-old man from Victoria Falls appeared in court on Monday facing two counts of rape against his 15-year-old daughter.

Elton Zibusiso Nyathi, was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to September 30 at the Hwange Regional Court.

According to court records, Nyathi allegedly raped his daughter on two separate occasions. The first incident occurred on September 4, at around midnight, when Nyathi entered his daughter’s bedroom and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her without her consent and threatened to kill her if she reveals the matter to anyone.

The second incident occurred on September 9, at around 3 pm, when Nyathi dragged his daughter to his bedroom and again forcibly had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

“Accused person who is the complainant’s father arrived at home and asked the complainant to cook potato chips for him,” the state records reads.

“The complainant then went to the kitchen to prepare the potato chips, the accused person then followed the complainant in the kitchen, grabbed the complainant’s hand and dragged her to his bedroom and locked the door. Whilst in the bedroom the accused person pushed the complainant to the floor and she fell down and he raped her.”

The court records indicate that Nyathi has a known record of previous convictions and has pending cases at court, including unlawful entry into premises.

The prosecution argued that Nyathi is likely to interfere with evidence and witnesses, given his relationship with the complainant, and is also likely to commit other offences. Additionally, the prosecution argued that Nyathi is likely to abscond due to the seriousness of the offence and the potential lengthy sentence he may face if convicted.

The magistrate, Gift Manyika, remanded Nyathi in custody, citing the seriousness of the offence and the need to protect the complainant and the community.

Hwange

Villagers weigh in on elephant culling: ‘they should kill them’

Published

2 days ago

September 16, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

As the Zimbabwean government considers culling elephants to provide protein to starving communities, villagers from Matabeleland North province share their thoughts on the controversial plan.

Councilor from Mabale, Eugene Sibanda from Ward 17 welcomes the idea, citing the devastating drought and the need for community development. “We’re tired of the destructions they have done in our communities, they are now too many so their decision to kill is welcomed,” he says. “When will this happen?”

Lenziwe Nyoni from Kamativi has a personal reason for supporting the culling. “Elephants killed my father in 2013,” she says, her voice trembling. “We want compensation and justice. They should kill them.”

Elizabeth Thebe from Chief Mvuthu in Hwange is frustrated with the destruction caused by elephants. “They’re not our cows,” she says. “We’re scared to move around, and they destroy our fields. If the owners want to kill them, that’s alright. They should kill them.”

Daniel Sithole from Green Shango Environmental Trust agrees with the minister’s decision, citing climate change impacts. “We respect international laws on wildlife,” he says, “but human rights come first.”

The proposal to cull elephants in Zimbabwe follows Namibia’s recently announced plans to cull 723 wild animals — including 83 elephants — to mitigate the effects of the drought and distribute the meat to communities facing food shortages.

Elephants are protected by international conventions, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

The discussion reveals a complex issue, with some seeing the culling as a necessary solution to food insecurity and others opposing it due to personal experiences, fear, or concerns about implementation.

As the government moves forward with the culling process, some say it’s essential to consider the diverse perspectives and ensure that the decision is made with the best interests of both humans and animals in mind.

In the community

Guns still linger: Only 8 guns surrendered amidst rising robberies

Published

4 days ago

September 13, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

With only two weeks left in the firearms amnesty period, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is sounding the alarm over the low number of surrendered guns amidst a surge in armed robberies.

“The public is urged to take advantage of this opportunity to surrender firearms and ammunition voluntarily, without fear of questioning or arrest,” said Commissioner Paul Nyathi

“We are concerned that unregistered firearms and ammunition are in the wrong hands and are being used to commit criminal acts.”

Since the amnesty began on September 1, a paltry eight firearms have been handed over to the authorities, a figure that raises concerns about the prevalence of unregistered weapons in the wrong hands.

“We will continue to conduct physical checks and verifications on all residential and business premises suspected to be harbouring illegal firearms,” Commissioner Nyathi warned. ”

After the expiry of the amnesty period, a nationwide operation will be conducted and arrests will be made for illegal possession of firearms or ammunition.”

The ZRP has called on individuals, companies, and organizations to surrender firearms and ammunition by September 30 to ensure public safety.

“We implore the public to cooperate and voluntarily surrender firearms and ammunition,” Commissioner Nyathi emphasized. “Let us work together to ensure public safety.”