Many residents who, at one point have been unlucky enough to find themselves in the notorious police cells said that torture was still deeply engrained within the unit. In a recent case, members of the Professional Drivers Association in Bulawayo were dragged to the cells for allegedly beating a plain clothes police officer at eGodini Kombi rank. The alleged incident took place after the officer had produced a gun threatening to shoot a tout after he was asked why he was boarding and disembarking one kombi after another.
In retaliation, members of the police from Bulawayo Central Police rounded up drivers who were parked at eGodini the following day and dragged them to the central police station where they were allegedly harassed. According to reports, the victims were severely beaten before they were undressed and subjected to attacks from police dogs.
Most of these cases have been taken to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) where they are being handled.
As the constitution making process finally struggles to its feet after many failed attempts, residents in Bulawayo have spoken with urgency on the need for seriousness on the organs party. Notwithstanding the fact that the premises on which the organ is built are flawed, residents have said a new people-driven constitution is inevitable and there is need for constant check and monitoring so that residents do not get duped and their views misconstrued.
The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) shall host a discussion meeting for residents and political parties to discuss priorities for political parties in the new constitution. It will be held at Pumula South Hall on Saturday June 19, 2010, from 10am to 1pm. The meeting is a joint partnership between BPRA and Bulawayo Agenda. The discussion meeting is a culmination of the meetings that have been done since enactment of the organ on constitution making.
Post published in: News