They were arrested and detained in filthy cells in Nyanga and Mutare on assault charges last February, yet they had been victims of harassment by Zanu (PF) youths.
They want charges dropped, arguing that the arrest, detention and general harassment they suffered at the hands of the police violated their constitutional rights.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights lawyer Jeremiah Bamu, who is representing the 33, wants the Supreme Court’s Full Bench to determine whether or not the assaults, torture and denial of medical attention to their clients constitute inhuman and degrading treatment in violation of Section 15 (1) of the Constitution.
Mwonzora and the villagers were in January removed from remand at Nyanga
Magistrates court pending final determination by the Supreme Court.
Police did not inform any of the residents of the reasons of arrest and/or detention as soon as was reasonably practicable in the circumstances.
One of them, 82-year-old Rwisai Nyakauru, succumbed to the torture and passed away in April last year.
Post published in: News