SUNDAY TIMES WEB DESK: Lawyers and activists say police and soldiers have killed at least a dozen people, wounded scores and arrested hundreds since demonstrations began nine days ago following a hike in the price of fuel. Zimbabwe’s Human Rights Commission accused security forces of systematic torture.
That offered the starkest indications yet that the country is reverting to the authoritarian rule that characterized the 37-year regime of former leader Robert Mugabe, who was forced from power after a coup in November 2017.
In his first public comments since cutting short a foreign trip, Mnangagwa said violence by security forces was “unacceptable and a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe.”
“Misconduct will be investigated. If required, heads will roll,” Mnangagwa wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, calling for a “national dialogue” with churches, civil society and the opposition.
A lawyers group reported more rights violations since Mgangagwa’s return to Harare late on Monday, fuelling speculation of deep divisions within his government.
Two allies of Mnangagwa – a lawmaker of his ZANU-PF party, Mayor Wadyajena, and former deputy finance minister Terence Mukupe, said some members of the government were attempting to impeach him.
A spokesman for Mnangagwa had said on Sunday the crackdown was a foretaste of how authorities would respond to future unrest.
The ZHRC said on Tuesday that security forces instigated systematic torture of residents after last week’s unrest – during which police say three people died – turned violent.
The force used on those who died or were injured, and supported by medical reports, pointed to police brutality, a ZHRC commissioner told reporters.