- Dear Family and Friends,
-
- This week the country came to a virtual standstill when
we learned that a large number of the top leaders of civic society and
opposition groups had been arrested. Everyone, everywhere was talking
about it and the world began watching us again. It was then with shock
and outrage that we saw the first grisly pictures of men and women covered
in blood, bruises and wounds getting off a huge open Police lorry outside
the Harare courts two days later. Now the details have begun to emerge
and the statements are being made by the victims of how they were brutally
assaulted whilst in Police custody. The quotes from those that were involved
tell this story better than any letter or newspaper report.
-
- An MDC youth activist, Gift Tandare was shot and killed
by the police. A friend went to visit his family and said: "We arrived
at their humble little home to find mourners grieving for this senseless
and brutal loss. It was heart wrenching and humbling to share their grief."
-
- Hours later two men were shot by Police at the Tandare
home where they had gone to pay their respects. The same friend wrote
again: "When I arrived at the hospital Dickson was in theatre having
an emergency operation and the doctors thought they would have to amputate
his foot. Their crime is that they were mourning the senseless killing
of their friend."
-
- Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights described the condition
of Grace Kwinjeh when she came out of Police custody saying: "she
was brutally assaulted at Machipisa and lost part of her ear after being
assaulted with a metal rod."
-
- When Lovemore Madhuku came out of Police custody the
Lawyers said: "He has a broken arm in a cast, bandages over his head
and a swollen face from assaults suffered at Machipisa."
-
- A husband recounted what had happened to his wife, Sekai,
while she was in police custody: "A woman repeatedly jumped on her
with booted feet - fracturing or breaking three of her ribs. Her clothes
were covered in blood - both her own and that of others suffering the
same brutality." Sekai also had a broken arm, broken leg and cracked
knee.
-
- One of Morgan Tsvangirai's bodyguards described what
he saw of the assault on the leader of the opposition: "They were
beating him and he collapsed. They were going for his head. He didn't
scream or shout, he was silent as they beat him, and it made them so angry,
they were shouting, - 'we must make him cry'."
-
- Throughout the week criticism, condemnation and concern
has poured in from around the world. Voices everywhere are raised in outrage
and here in Zimbabwe there is a feeling of extreme tension.
-
- These are very dark days indeed.
-
- Until next week,
-
- with love, cathy
-
- Copyright cathy buckle 17th March 2007 http://africantears.netfirms.com
My books: "African Tears" and "Beyond Tears" are available
from: orders@africabookcentre.com .To subscribe/unsubscribe to this newsletter,
please write to: cbuckle@mango.zw
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