Wednesday 16 Januuary 2019
Councilor Crispen Dube (Ward 15, Chikanga-Dangamvura) was arrested at a roadblock on his way to town. Instead of being taken to a police station he was detained at 3 Brigade barracks together with other victims arrested in Sakubva n Chikanga who included Pastor Mautsi.
Same day in Mutasa Central, Ward 10 Councilor, Frank Chitembwe and 7 others were arrested along Jombe road in Mutasa Central and taken to Ruda Police Station at Hauna Growth Point where they spent the night before being moved the following morning to Mutasa Police station at DC Service Centre.
Thursday 17 January 2019
Soldiers brutalized Zimunya township residents in Ward 32, Mutare South Constituency in early morning raids (between 1-3am). They went to Robert Saunyama’s (Jack Roberts) house and beat up his two wives and kids after they failed to find Robert. They proceeded to his workshop where they harrassed his guards before they destroyed his Land Cruiser. Jack Roberts was our parliamentary candidate for Mutare South on 30 July. He is in hiding. The soldiers also went to Zimunya township’s (Ward 32) at Councilor Herbert Gonyora’s house. They beat him up together with his wife, blindfolded and took him to 3 Brigade barracks where he joined 30 other victims, from his count. In the morning he was swapped with Councilor Dube who had been kept in solitary confinement and he was kept alone where the beatings and interrogations continued.
Friday 18 Januuary 2019
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Passmore Nyakureba and Chris Ndlovu successfully got a court interdict compelling the army to release the detainees from 3 Brigade barracks. Councilors Crispen Dube and Herbert Gonyora, Pastor Mautsi and others were released without charge but needing medical attention.
On the same day in Mutasa Central, Councilor Frank Chitembwe and 7 others were granted $50 bail each. They were remanded out of custody to 1 February. Ranga Mubata of ZLHR represented them.
In Rusape, Makoni Central, 4 people were denied bail. They were represented by Leonard Chigadza of ZLHR.
Saturday 19 January 2019
Received no reports of harrassment
Sunday 20/Mon 21 Jan
More raids were carried out in Zimunya township beginning in the night of 20th into the early hours of 21st . Patrons who were watching football in the night clubs were beaten up n a door to door orgy ensued.
Tuesday 22 January 2019
Further raids in Zimunya township. More beatings by the army.
Summary
Arrests
Mutasa Central 8, out on bail
Makoni Central 4, denied bail
Mutare? 1, status unknown
Total 13
Army detention
Mutare South/Zimunya
Chikanga-Dangamvura
Mutare Central/Sakubva
Total +/-32
Beatings
Chikanga-Dangamvura +/-3
Zimunya +/- 70 (~20 with serious injuries).
Treatment
Trees for Life and CSU have provided support. 9 treated so far.
The struggle continues. The darkest hour is just before dawn.
Trevor JL Saruwaka
Manicaland Province