BULAWAYO – A 23-year-old woman was abducted, sexually assaulted and badly beaten on Friday by men looking for her political activist uncle, her lawyer said.

The incident appeared to be an escalation of a wave of arrests and abductions of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s opponents and their families by state security agents.

Noxolo Maphosa was walking to a butchery near Pick n Pay (Hyper) in Bulawayo at about 10AM when she noticed four men walking behind her.

“I called my friend and told her there were men following me. Just as I ended the call, they grabbed me from behind and took my phone. They forced me into a white Izusu pick-up truck,” Maphosa said in a video statement.

She was blindfolded and driven to a house where she was interrogated about the whereabouts of Josphat ‘Mzaca’ Ngulube, her uncle who was jailed for seven years in 2019 accused of burning a Zanu PF vehicle during fuel price riots in January of that year. Ngulube is out on bail pending appeal against conviction and sentence.

Maphosa said she told her captors that she did not know her uncle’s whereabouts. The men also demanded that she produces a phone she uses for WhatsApp, but she does not have one.

“One of the men said I thought they were playing. He took out a knife and cut through my bra, leggings and panties,” Maphosa said.

Naked, Maphosa said the men took turns to beat her on her legs and thighs with logs. The men later insisted on driving her home to Cowdray Park suburb, they said so that they know where she lives.

Her lawyer Nqobani Sithole released pictures showing Maphosa with whip welts on her thighs and legs from the assault.

Sithole said the attack on Maphosa was an escalation of targeted political abductions by state security agents. The government denies the abductions, and accuses activists of faking the incidents.

The lawyer is also representing 22-year-old Tawanda Muchehiwa, a nephew of ZimLive editor Mduduzi Mathuthu who was abducted on July 30 by men also driving in a white Isuzu pick-up truck.

Muchehiwa, currently recovering at a private hospital after suffering damage to his kidneys, was tortured over three days during which he was made to drink his own urine. He was accused of involvement in the planning of anti-government protests on July 31, but which were crushed by the military and police who forced citizens to stay home.

He was dumped near his home after a judge gave police 72 hours to bring him to a court. Muchehiwa had suffered horrific wounds on his buttocks and back.

Police also raided Mathuthu’s home but found the journalist gone. They took his sister as bait, but she was later released.

Hundreds have been arrested in recent months, including journalists, lawyers, opposition politicians, doctors and nurses, for protesting against the government or striking for better pay as tensions rise in Zimbabwe.

On Thursday, a government spokesman Nick Mangwana dismissed allegations of state-sponsored abductions and insisted that “there is no crisis or implosion” in Zimbabwe.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is following developments in Zimbabwe with “concern,” his office said.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said he was sending two envoys to Zimbabwe “following recent reports of difficulties that Zimbabwe is experiencing.”

Ramaphosa, the current African Union chairman, acted following pressure from South African opposition parties and a global wave of social media protests under the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.

Zimbabwean authorities have thwarted a peaceful anti-corruption protest which was planned for today and launched a witch-hunt against political and human rights activists suspected of being behind the planned demonstration, Amnesty International said today.The brutal assault on political activists and human rights defenders who have had the courage to call out alleged corruption and demand accountability from their government is intensifying Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa.

A number of activists have gone into hiding after police published a list of names of human rights defenders who are wanted for questioning in connection with the planned protests. A number of opposition leaders are also understood to be wanted by the police, while six others have already been arrested.

 “The brutal assault on political activists and human rights defenders who have had the courage to call out alleged corruption and demand accountability from their government is intensifying. The persecution of these activists is a blatant abuse of the criminal justice system and mockery of justice,” said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa.

“This latest witch-hunt and repression of peaceful dissent is a continuation of what we have seen in the country in recent years, including the abductions and arbitrary arrests of those who are critical of the government, in an attempt to muzzle differing views. The thwarting of the protest illustrates the Zimbabwean authorities’ total intolerance of criticism.”

Six activists have been arrested or abducted in the past few days, to prevent the protests from taking place today. Opposition MDC-Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere and Henry Chivanga,  an activist fighting for rights of people with disabilities are among those who were arrested today. Police also arrested the sister of investigative journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu on 30 July, and refused to release her until the journalist appeared at Bulawayo Central police station. Mduduzi Mathuthu is the editor of online publication Zimlive and has been charged with planning the protests. His sister was released on 30 July.Zimbabweans must be allowed to freely exercise their human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The authorities must stop harassing, intimidating and arresting people who have done nothing more than peacefully express their opinions 

In the lead up to today’s planned protests, authorities have been beefing up security in main cities, including sealing off the Harare Central Business District, under the pretext of enforcing COVID-19 regulations.

“Zimbabwean authorities must stop using COVID-19 as a pretext for restricting human rights. Peaceful protest is not a crime, and the motivations for crushing this demonstration are plain to see,” said Muleya Mwananyanda.

“Zimbabweans must be allowed to freely exercise their human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The authorities must stop harassing, intimidating and arresting people who have done nothing more than peacefully express their opinions.”

Background

The government launched a crackdown last week ahead of protests planned for today with the arrest of prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume. While Chin’ono was arrested for “inciting public violence”, it appears that he was targeted for exposing allegations of corruption in the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment related to COVID-19.

Ngarivhume had called for a national peaceful protest against corruption, which eats away at people’s livelihoods and contributes to denial of human rights. Both Chin’ono and Ngarivhume remain in police custody and have been denied bailed on the grounds that they remain a risk to the peace of the country.

Eccentric South African opposition leader, Julius Malema yesterday torched a diplomatic storm with Zimbabwe after he suggested that the Zimbabwean Embassy in Pretoria must be shut down until the government respects human rights.

Zimbabwe has been receiving a lot of goodwill from across the world with high profile people standing with the country in the wake of gross human rights abuses by the government on the opposition and civil society members.

More than a dozen people were arrested and tortured at the hands of state agents in connection with last week’s demonstration which was suppressed by the security forces.

Those arrested include renowned novelist Tsitsi Dangarembgwa, MDC A Spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere and journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu, whose nephew was abducted found four days later with serious injuries.

Opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono were also arrested prior to the demonstration, a move which was received with widespread condemnation.

The latest crackdown on opposition and critics of the government have raised ire with celebrities and sports personalities across the world standing with the country on social media using the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter hashtag, which as of yesterday was trending in most parts of the world.

Malema who leads the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) called for the closure of the Zimbabwean embassy in that country saying Zimbabwean officials must not be allowed to address anyone.

“We call for the removal of the Zimbabwean Embassy in SA until they restore the human rights in that country. Failure to do so, we will prevent any official from the Zimbabwean government from participating in any gathering in SA until they respect ordinary Zimbabweans,” he said Monday night.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa Tuesday morning shot back at the growing voices for his government to respect human rights alleging that in fact, it was him who is under attack from “dark forces, in and outside Zimbabwe, who want to destabilize his administration.

“My administration has faced many hurdles and attacks since its inauguration and these include the divisive politics of some opposition elements, the illegal economic sanctions, cyclones, drought and most recently, the deadly COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

He stated that other elements include local currency manipulation and detractors who fear that his government will succeed.

“All this was meant to undermine our projected growth and stability as a result, we have had to constantly recalibrate our compass to ensure that we remain on course and that the standard of life for the majority of our society gets better,” Mnangagwa said.

Malema’s remarks did not sit well with Norton Member of Parliament and former Zanu-PF Central Committee member, Temba Mliswa who shot back saying Zimbabwe needs to liberate itself.

“With all due respect, you should allow us to be our own liberators. You’ve enough on your plate dealing with your own land inequality issues. Such comments expose the proximity you’ve with certain estranged Zimbabweans and smacks of an ulterior agenda. Let them fight their own battles,” he said.

Government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana posted on Twitter saying sanctions were the real challenge for Zimbabweans, not the government.

“Sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe have killed many. They have unintended consequences. We need every voice to be heard because #ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” he cheekily posted.

There growing tension in Zimbabwe with the general populace feeling the pinch of economic decay and political instability.

Mnangagwa’s party, Zanu-PF is deeply divided which has forced the President to channel hos energy towards power retention,

The health system has been paralysed in the wake of COVID-19 as the government has neglected other facets of the sector to focus on fighting the pandemic which to date has claimed 80 lives in the country.

What’s going on Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is currently experiences a human rights crisis. Military, state security and police are arresting and brutalizing activists, journalists, students, and opposition party members. These groups are protesting corruption and political and economical stability.

The government and president are using COVID-19 lockdown to justify deploying the military and suppressing peaceful protests.

In addition to economic and political struggles, Zimbabwe is facing a food and health crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Why is this happening?

Zimbabweans are protesting government leadership, corruption and economic mismanagement. protesters are calling for:

• Political and economic stability
• End to state corruption
• New leadership (that current President Mnangagwa steps down)
• Intervention from external entities to stop human rights violations and support from African Union, South Africa and South African Development Community.
• A political overhaul to instate democracy and end the one party majority from ZANU-PF

The recent wave of protests and clashes with police and military began on July 31, 2020 but the government crackdown on union and opposition activists has been intensifying for a while.

A brief background on Zimbabwe

• MDC stands for Movement for Democratic Change and it is the main opposition party in Zimbabwe.
• ZANU-PF stands for Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front
• In 2017, a coup and a “democratic election” ousted Mugabe and put current President Emmerson Mnangagwa in power. Although Mnangagwa promised democracy, his government has been accused of many abuses of power.
• Decades of corruption and oppressive leadership have led to lacking infrastructure, which has contributed to the current humanitarian crisis.

INDUSTRY in Bulawayo yesterday challenged government to stop crying about sanctions, but start creating a conducive operating environment, give them fuel and forex for raw materials as well as sort out the exchange rate.

Speaking during a business breakfast meeting held in Bulawayo yesterday, captains of industry told Industry and Commerce minister Sekai Nzenza that government needed to address issues of currency, policy inconsistency and stop blaming sanctions.

“We want to challenge you and your colleagues in government, can we stop the cry about sanctions. In our industry here in Bulawayo we have some glaring evidence of sanctions busting companies. Companies created specially to subvert sanctions during the Smith regime,” Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries Matabeleland Chapter president Shepherd Chawira said.

“We toured Delta with your predecessor minister Mangaliso Ndlovu in November last year and we were shown old beer brewing chambers bought from the European Union when the brewery was built and alongside those were a number of others built by a company established locally here to bust sanctions.”

“Sadly, the company closed down in the 2000s due to the economic meltdown. So we are saying, give us fuel, give us forex for raw materials, sort out our exchange rate and give us policies which create a conducive operating environment and there won’t be any sanctions to talk about,” he said.

On MAY 20, 2020 an employee at the Zimbabwe Electrical Supply Authority (ZESA), Clement Mateta, is reportedly traumatised after Tarirai Mnangagwa, the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa threatened to shoot him over the weekend.

Mateta who was in the company of former Sunday Mail photographer Edmore Muzerengi had gone to Mnangagwa’s farm in Norton to record meter readings the incident took place. Muzerengi told NewsDay that upon arrival at the farm, Mnangagwa who was entering the premises stopped Mateta from accessing the meter box saying they were not supposed to enter the premises since it was a State House and protected place. He ordered them to sit crosslegged, entered the house and came out wielding a pistol, fired shots in the air and used the pistol to remove Mateta’s face mask.

Narrated Muzerengi: We identified ourselves and produced letters from Zesa, but he still threatened to kill us. He said he could kill and bury us behind his house and nobody would know what happened to us. Muzerengi added that Mnangagwa then asked a woman who was behind him to collect the meter box keys and opened it, took pictures of their identification particulars and the letter from Zesa and released them.

Both Mashonaland West police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ian Kohwera and national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were yet to receive the report.

Constitutional rights should not be criminalized.

STOP POLICE BRUTALITY ! A NORMAL DEMOCRACY ALLOWS FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

What does it mean to be a Zimbabwean?

It means speaking your mind on the pain of what we’re going through could end up with you assaulted, abused, hospitalised, missing or behind bars and your name as another hashtag

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It means death is a minor illness away because the money meant for health care was funnelled out by the political elite and it bought the latest SUV’s instead of medication and hospital equipment.

It means encountering military men fully armed on the streets is a regular occurrence and you can be assulted for no apparent reason.

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It means expecting mothers and sick patients are not safe in hospitals, drivers are not safe on roads, schools are not up to standard and a new problem is around the corner.

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It means basic human rights are not a set issue but the government threats them a suggestion that can be ignored.

It means 5.5 million people are said to be facing acute food shortages but any complaints including this post are said to be funded by the West and an attempt to overthrow the government.

It means there’s no feeling of freedom and there’s hope to hold on to as we watch everything crumble.

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President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has allegedly deployed several teams of intelligence officers to hunt down MDC Alliance deputy national chairman Job Sikhala, who has gone into hiding ahead of planned public demonstrations on July 31, NewsDay has learnt.The teams have made several visits to Sikhala’s Chitungwiza home, but failed to locate him.Sikhala allegedly went into hiding soon after the arrest of July 31 protests organiser and opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume as well as journalist Hopewell Chin’ono for allegedly inciting violence ahead of the protests. Chin’ono and Ngarivhume are languishing in remand prison after they were denied bail following their arrest on Monday last week.Sikhala was one of the people Mnangagwa’s administration had targeted to arrest, together with former Zanu PF youth leader Godfrey Tsenengamu in a desperate bid to block the protests.NewsDay is reliably informed that teams of officers from the CIO, travelling in commuter omnibuses, have been deployed to hunt down Sikhala.Well-placed sources in the security establishment said they had been tasked to find him at all costs, preferably before Chin’ono and Ngarivhume are granted bail, most likely after July 31.Sikhala’s mobile phone was yesterday not reachable, but Tsenengamu admitted his home had been frequented by members of the CIO, whom he accused of trying to plant weapons at his home in a bid to get him arrested and charged with treason.“I know all their plots,” Tsenengamu said. “They have been to my home several times looking for me. I know all their plots to arrest me.”Tsenengamu, who now leads a pressure group, Front for Economic Emancipation in Zimbabwe, backs the July 31 protests.Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe was not picking calls yesterday, but Zanu PF spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa fumed over the protests, advising Zanu PF supporters to fight back.Chinamasa accused the MDC Alliance of plotting to destabilise government, lashing out at US ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brian Nichols for allegedly backing the protests. Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police yesterday released a list of MDC Alliance officials and activists whom it claimed it wanted to interview in connection with the protests.The police listed Sikhala, Makomborero Haruziviishe, Godfrey Kurauone, Gift Ostallos Siziba, Promise Mkwananzi, Denford Ngadziore, Allan Moyo, Obey Sithole, Obert Masaraure, Jim Kunaka, Stephen Chuma and Robson Chere.Tsenengamu was also listed together with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions leader Peter Mutasa.

Newsday

An online publication, ZimLive has reported that president Emmerson Mnangagwa has instructed the state security minister Owen Mudha Ncube to put in place plans to shut down the internet on Friday.

This comes at the backdrop of anti-government protests pencilled for 31 July (tomorrow).

This would be the second time in two years after a similar blackout was effected during protests sparked by fuel price increases in January last year.

Some of the measures allegedly meant to thwart the demonstration include suspension of police vacations, offs and leaves, enhancement of lockdown regulations and the arrest of protests organisers – Jacob Ngarivhume and Hopewell Chin’ono.

A number of political activists and trade unionists have also been put on a long list of wanted people, a move viewed by some as a way to intimidate and dissuade the citizenry from participating in the protests.

Jacob Ngarivhume of opposition Transform Zimbabwe called for the protests after the exposure of grand corruption by government departments and government officials including ousted Health minister Obadiah Moyo.

The protests have been widely endorsed by other stakeholders including opposition MDC Alliance.-Pindula