16th May 2020
STATEMENT BY RESTORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ROHR) ZIMBABWE ON POLICE BRUTALITY ON TWO COWDRAY PARK WOMEN SIBLINGS NOKUTHULA AND NTOMBIZODWA MPOFU ON 16TH APRIL 2020
Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe strongly condemns the brutal assault and injury of two sisters Nokuthula and Ntombizodwa Mpofu by male members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police on 16th April 2020 in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo.
The two were selected from a queue of people lining up to buy food at a supermarket in Cowdray Park by three male Police Officers and were accused of violating the ongoing Covid-19 induced lockdown. They were then hand-cuffed behind their backs and frog marched to the Cowdray Park Police base through the bush. The Policemen thoroughly beat up the duo along the way causing injuries to their backs, hips and thighs.
The beatings continued at the Police base where three more officers joined in the beatings and tribalistic insults.
We condemn the insults and discrimination on tribal lines that the two sisters were subjected to by the Police Officers and the selective application of the law on tribal lines.
We condemn the indecent assault on females by male Police officers.
We condemn the denial of access to medical attention when the two were thrown into the Police cells overnight.
We also condemn the attempt by the Police to jeopardise investigations through deliberate lack of attention to detail thereby causing delays in bringing the matter before a court of law.
We urge the government of Zimbabwe to stop promoting impunity amongst its agencies in the overall performance of duty and to observe and uphold human rights of all citizens all the time.
End
By Information & Publicity Department
