State torturers named

nto changing their ways and to think about a future, democratic Zimbabwe. State security minister Didymus Mutasa responded with a scathing attack on newspapers “that should know better”, saying the adverts were illegal. The adverts appeared in the independent weekly Standard newspaper. The Human Rights NGO Forum report states that state agents routinely use violence and torture as a way of quelling dissent as well as extracting information from the public be it for political or criminal reasons. Among those named are notorious ex-combatant Joseph Chinotimba and Zanu (PF) political commissar Elliot Manyika. Also prominent on the list are four Harare-based army officials, William Gapera, Captain Kembo, Mathias Mhiripiri and Shadreck Ncube. Prominent police officers complicit in torture of mainly opposition supporters in Harare are named as Assistant Inspector Mhondoro, Insp. Nduna, Officer Mahara and Nhokwara, among others. “The Mugabe regime and its agents must be aware that they will be held accountable for their deeds,” MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said. “We are compiling documented evidence of those responsible for torture and murder. The day of reckoning is not far away.” – Own correspondent