|
Zim exiles tell of torture
27/06/2007 10:03 - (SA)
Ade Obisesan
Johannesburg - Zimbabweans who have fled to South Africa marked the International Day Against Torture on Tuesday by recounting their experiences at the hands of President Robert Mugabe's security services.
Dozens of exiles gathered at a prayer hall in downtown Johannesburg for a meeting organised by the anti-Mugabe Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and the Zimbabwe Torture Victims Project (ZTVP), with few convinced that South African President Thabo Mbeki's efforts to mediate in their homeland would bear fruit.
Opposition activist Sasini Mpofu said that the security forces had not only subjected him to pain during interrogations after being arrested but also targeted his family and property.
"During my detention, I was subjected to numerous types of torture, my wife was assaulted. My house was burnt down," said the 29-year-old.
Mpofu finally decided to flee his homeland as he became increasingly fearful for the safety of his family and made his way to Zimbabwe's southern neighbour. He is now seeking asylum in South Africa.
Remember Moyo, a supporter of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) told those gathered that he had been subjected to pain on a daily basis between 2001 and 2004.
"I was handcuffed and leg-chained, tortured, kept in solitary confinement before being acquitted of any offence," said Moyo.
'We should call for God's intervention'
"Dialogue will not solve the problem of Zimbabwe. It is going to be a waste of time and an Oprah Winfrey show. They will come out with nothing. We should call for God's intervention," he added.
Mbeki was tasked in March by fellow southern African leaders of trying to mediate between veteran president Mugabe and the MDC, which is threatening to boycott next year's elections in the former British colony.
However few of the exiles have much faith in Mbeki's ability to persuade 83-year-old Mugabe to ease up on the opposition.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai was recently assaulted while trying to attend a protest rally.
Mbeki has resisted any direct criticism of Mugabe, instead preferring to pursue a policy of "quiet diplomacy".
Sox Chikohwero, a former soldier, said that he was detained and "subjected to various forms of torture" between 2001 and 2002 because of his membership of the MDC.
He said Mbeki was "in a tight corner" and described the South African president's assignment as "very daunting".
James Masunga Mushandu, a 29-year-old student activist, was equally pessimistic about any possible breakthrough.
"I do not feel that South Africa is an ideal country to mediate between Mugabe and the opposition," he said.
ZTVP spokesperson Francis Spencer said in her report to the meeting that there had been a "widespread and gross human rights violence" in Zimbabwe.
"We demand and end to victimisation and torture in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe needs the support of South Africa and the international community," she said.
- AFP
|
News
Zimbabwe Special Report
