S.A vehicles Were Used In Disappeared Persons saga  

December 29th, 2008

HARARE, December 28 – LAWYERS representing opposition activists and human rights defenders being held incommunicado by state security agents are investigating the use of a South Africa registered vehicle in the transportation of the detainees.  In a press release to VOP Radio on Sunday, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), whose members are representing 32 of the disappeared persons, including former journalists and director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), Jestina Mukoko, said they were investigating why a South African registered vehicle was being used to transport the disappeared persons. The lawyers’ pressure group charged that it was against international law.  “In a disturbing development, when lawyers attempted to follow up action on 25 December 2008, they were advised that the abductees who were being held at Harare Remand Prison had been removed from the prison to an undisclosed location in a red minibus by unknown individuals, under escort of riot police,” said ZLHR. “What is further disturbing is the fact that this minibus bears a South African licence plate number. Lawyers are continuing with attempts to locate all the abductees and to investigate why a South African licensed vehicle is being used in connection with enforced disappearances which are contrary to international law and which South Africa have outlawed,” it said. On 24 December 2008 eight of the current total of thirty-two individuals abducted over the last seven weeks were brought to the Magistrates' Court in Harare under armed guard. These individuals were Jestina Mukoko, Broderick Takawira, Violet Mupfuranhehwe, Fidelis Chiramba, Collen Mutemagau, Concillia Chinanzvavana, Emmanuel Chinanzvavana, and Pieta Kaseke. Also present was the two-year old minor, Nigel Mutemagau, who has been missing all along as he was with his parents (Violet Mupfuranhehwe and Collen Mutemagau), when they were unlawfully abducted on 30 October 2008. The ZLHR said investigating Officer Chief Superintendent Magwenzi, who was present throughout the day at the Magistrates' Court, allegedly refused to disclose to lawyers the whereabouts and condition of the remainder of the abductees, despite having advised lawyers the previous day that he was responsible as the investigating Officer for all the abductees currently in custody. Mukoko and eight others are reportedly being held at Chikurubi Maximum prison in defiance of a court order to release them into hospital for treatment of injuries they received when they were tortured while in detention. The state has appealed against the court order to have them released into hospital under police guard. The case is due to be heard again on Monday.

source,radiovop