Source: Radio Dialogue
File photo of Burombo Hostels / Radio Dialogue
THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has launched an investigation into reports of police brutality that took place at Burombo hostels in Bulawayo’s Nguboyenja suburb during last week’s mass stay away.
There were reports of widespread abuse of innocent civilians by police at the three blocks of Burombo hostels last Wednesday and the Commission has since descended on the suburb to investigate what transpired on the fateful Wednesday.
The flats, with an official carrying capacity of 153 per block houses more than 1 000 people and is home to David Mutasa, whose one-year-old child died after inhaling teargas, which police used to flush out suspects in violent protests.
ZHRC commissioner Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube said the Commission was prompted to take action following complaints by residents against the police.
“We are here to investigate the complains that people of Burombo made to the effect that their rights were violated by the police on the day when there was a stay away.
“We understand that the police came here and threw teargas in their homes and people were forced out and harassed. So we are here to find out what exactly happened,” said Ndabeni-Ncube.
Scores of residents in Burombo hostels are still nursing injuries of police torture and brutality following the Zimbabwe Shutdown protests against social injustice and poverty.
Residents in Burombo explained that police ambushed their hostels in the evening around 6pm and ordered everyone to move out of their house.
Due to fear, the residents didn’t move out and the police started throwing teargases through windows and on corridors which forced people to move out and gather at an open space.
Everyone, from as young as 10 years and the elderly, were made to lie down on their stomachs and were beaten with baton sticks.
Residents said they do not know why they were beaten as some of them never even participated in the protests.
The residents who spoke to Radio Dialogue said the police forced them to sing the National Anthem in Shona and when they could not they were beaten again.
Some were made to roll on the floor while others sustained injuries, some heavily affected by the teargas and are in need of medical assistance.
Two people, a child and a old woman, have reportedly died as a result of inhaling teargas.
Meanwhile some residents have also complained that the police are indiscriminately arresting children accusing them of being part of the gang that looted at Mzilikazi Supermarket.
Source: Radio Dialogue