The Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe (ROHR Zimbabwe), a local human rights organisation, said in a statement last week that Julius Mutavira Gono (43) of ward 10, Chiredzi South constituency was heavily beaten in broad day light by three notorious members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) while his family and neighbours watched helplessly. ??
According to the statement released last Thursday, Gono was assaulted by three armed state security agents who drove into his house in Madzimure village, in a Nissan twin cab with unmarked plates. ROHR Zimbabwe said the incident was reported at Chikombedzi Police Station, the same police station at which Gonos alleged assailants operate from. The assault case was entered in police records as case number 30/01/11. ?
The state security agents fingered in the act had been identified only as Matambanadzo, Tinago and Magara. ROHZ said a medical report on Gono confirmed that he sustained internal back and leg injuries, a swollen red eye and still needed further medical attention. ??Gono told ROHR Zimbabwe that he was being targeted because of his political involvement with the MDC T party, the human rights group said.
Matambanadzo (CIO agent) allegedly told Gono that he was punishing him because of the numerous complaints he is receiving over his involvement with the MDC. ?? Gono now fears for his life after Matambanadzo further threatened him that he will not live to see the next election, it added.
The attack on Gono took place two weeks after war veteran leader Jabulani Sibanda visited Chiredzi South as part of his countrywide campaign to root out suspected MDC supporters. ??According to ROHR Zimbabwe the police were yet to act against the CIO agents weeks after Gono reported his case to them.
It said: ROHR Zimbabwe is raising serious concerns to the coalition government on the issue of prioritisation of the security of ordinary people ahead of the envisaged elections at the backdrop of organised criminal activities committed with impunity during the orgy of violence in 2008 election violence.??
“As human rights defenders we are grossly disappointed by the brutal conduct, unprofessionalism, lack of independence of the security agents and uniformed forces who are supposed to be the custodians of the enforcement of the rule of law and guardians of all citizens regardless of political affiliation. Wayne Bvudzinjena, the national police spokesman, said he had not been informed of the incident.
Post published in: Politics