Raj Ahmed of DOT
Zimbabwe’s government has pledged to “thoroughly” investigate allegations of abuse and rape leveled against its security forces during a brutal crackdown to quell recent anti-government protests.
Nationwide demonstrations erupted last week after President Emmerson Mnangagwa doubled fuel prices in a country suffering from spiraling inflation and regular shortages of necessities.
Furious demonstrators took to the streets in several cities and towns with widespread rioting and looting before soldiers and police brutally put down the protests at the cost of at least 12 lives, according to NGOs.
Hundreds of people were injured, including dozens from bullet wounds.
In a separate statement, Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema acknowledged reports of “alleged rape, sexual abuse and assaults that have been perpetrated by security forces during the recent operation”.
But he said only one report had been received so far.
He also referred to media footage of women who claimed they were raped by security forces during the widespread clampdown.
Army spokesman Alphios Makotore earlier this week issued a statement alleging that “bogus” elements in military uniform were engaging in violence and placing the “image of the organizations into disrepute”.
Police said that more than 1,100 people have been arrested since the unrest began and hundreds have been moving through the courts for summary trials, according to lawyers.
-Source: AFP