The alleged torture of four men by police officers in Gwanda was among the most serious human rights concerns recorded in Matabeleland South Province in June, according to the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP).
In its June Monthly Monitoring Report, the organisation said the province recorded 17 human rights violations, including alleged police brutality, torture, labour rights abuses, environmental harm and impunity.
One of the incidents highlighted involved the alleged arbitrary arrest and torture of four men in Ward 7 of Tshitaudze Constituency.
According to ZPP, the men were detained at Gwanda Central Police Station while officers questioned them about the whereabouts of another individual believed to be known to them.
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The organisation said the four men, who are reportedly friends of the person police were looking for, were held for about 15 hours before being released without charge.
“In Ward 7, Gwanda, in Tshitaudze Constituency, four individuals were arbitrarily arrested by police officers and subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment while in custody during an interrogation aimed at obtaining information on the whereabouts of another individual.
“The victims were detained for a period of 15 hours at Gwanda Central Police Station before being released without charge. The four men are friends of an individual the police were looking for,” ZPP said.
The organisation said the alleged arrests raised concerns about violations of rights protected under Zimbabwe’s Constitution and international human rights law.
“The arbitrary deprivation of liberty, use of torture and subsequent release without prosecution raise serious concerns regarding violations of the rights to personal liberty, human dignity, freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as the right to due process guaranteed under the Constitution of Zimbabwe and international human rights standards,” the report said.
ZPP said the alleged conduct of the officers undermined constitutional safeguards intended to protect citizens from unlawful detention and abuse while in police custody.
It said the Gwanda case reflected broader concerns about the conduct of some law enforcement officers and highlighted the need for greater accountability where allegations of abuse arise.
In a separate incident in Gwanda District, the organisation alleged that police assaulted a man after wrongly suspecting him of involvement in a public fight.
“In a separate incident in Gwanda, police assaulted a man after wrongly suspecting him of involvement in a public fight, highlighting concerns over excessive use of force and disregard for due process,” ZPP said.
The report also documented alleged labour rights violations in Matobo South, where workers at a Chinese-owned mining company in Gwezha Ward 3 were reportedly subjected to exploitative working conditions, including excessive production targets, denial of leave and arbitrary dismissals.
“In Matobo South, workers employed by a Chinese-owned mining company in Gwezha Ward 3 were subjected to exploitative working conditions, including excessive production targets, denial of leave and arbitrary dismissals, raising concerns over violations of labour rights, fair working conditions and protection from unfair labour practices,” the report said.
According to ZPP, the reported practices may have violated workers’ rights to fair labour standards and protection from unfair labour practices.
The report also raised concerns over alleged impunity in Beitbridge, where a Zanu-PF activist identified as Masendeke, who was accused of assaulting a Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) official, was reportedly released without charge a day after his arrest.
ZPP said such incidents contributed to public perceptions of selective application of the law and unequal treatment within the justice system.
The organisation called on authorities to uphold constitutional protections, investigate allegations of torture and other human rights abuses, and ensure anyone found responsible was held accountable.
Responding to the allegations, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was unaware of the report.
“I am not aware of the report. I am not aware of the allegations,” he said.
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