HARARE - Beatings so bad that a prisoner couldnt walk to get food or water have been revealed by an inmate at Harare Central police station.
The man said falanga, or beating on the soles of the feet, was used in every police station as a matter of course.
The eyewitness report came as news emerged that MDC activist Augustine Mahute had died on Saturday night at Matapi police station after being assaulted by officers. Reports indicate that Mahute (24) was first attacked by a mob of Zanu (PF) youths, who stole some money from him and then forcibly took him to the police station. Here, it is alleged, he was further assaulted by police officers.
I saw a guy have his feet beaten, said the witness. He had been arrested for not having a vendor licence and, it seems, had given some back-char to a police guy. He was taken downstairs on Friday night and beaten until his feet were so swollen he could not walk. The skin on his feet was nearly splitting, as the swelling was so bad.
This poor guy lay on his side for the entire weekend and, when it came to roll call, he was unable to move to collect food. We helped him out with some food and water.
Post published in: News