THE four local pro- democracy activists who were reportedly pulled off a Victoria Falls-bound plane at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Wednesday, were tortured following their abduction, NewsDay has learnt.
These are Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi and Vusumuzi Moyo.
Prominent lawyer and director of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Roselyn Hanzi has confirmed the development on her X handle, saying she has been in contact with Kwekweza.
“After talking to Namatai Kwekweza, I just want to restate that torture is part of customary international law. It is a crime under international law,” she said.
“Perpetrators of torture should be weary of traveling beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. There is universal jurisdiction for torture. All the four were tortured Robson Chere (severely), @cdegwenzi & Vusumuzi Moyo. @ZLHRLawyers hoping they appear at court today,” Hanzi posted on her verified account.
According to latest information from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the four were “incommunicado” detention for at least eight hours after they were seized by state agents.
“Robson was visibly tortured and in severe pain. They have been advised that their charge is disorderly conduct,” ZLHR wrote on X, adding:
“The allegations are (that) they participated in a demonstration at RottenRow when Jameson Timba and others appeared at court.”
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The incident has triggered widespread condemnation with human rights defenders accusing the State of clamping down on activists and opposition members ahead of the SADC summit set for this month in Harare.
