Mukoko was kidnapped in her nightdress at dawn on December 3 - now given bail by the court
March 9th, 2009
Harare (Zimbabwe) - Exactly three months to the day of her kidnapping by Mugabe’s armed thugs, human rights activist Jestina Mukoko was released this week.
Mukoko, the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), was granted bail of US$600 on Monday afternoon by Harare Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe.
Speaking to journalists from her hospital bed just after her release, Mukoko said she would give more details about her incarceration later. For the moment she is concentrating on getting her strength back after her ordeal.
“I am still being attended to by the doctors and I might be in here for some weeks to come,” she said.
Mukoko was kidnapped in her nightdress at dawn on December 3. The police denied abducting her – they have now blamed the CIO. Her whereabouts were unknown until just before Christmas when she was finally brought to court. When her lawyers tried to get a court order demanding the identity of her kidnappers, Didymus Mutasa, the minister then in charge of CIO, issued a certificate claiming this was not in the national interest.
Mugabe had vowed that she would not be released until the law had taken its course.
Mukoko and 15 other activists, who were also released this week, have signed affidavits in which they detail the prolonged and severe torture to which they were subject while in CIO custody. This included beatings on the soles of their feet, simulated drowning, electric shocks and solitary confinement – all in an effort to extract a confession that they were involved in banditry on behalf of the MDC.
Fidelis Chiramba, aged 72, who shared a hospital room with Mukoko while they were both chained to their beds under armed police and prison guard, said he was treated like an animal.
“I was severely tortured until I could no longer feel any pain. The abductors treated me like an animal. I was forced to wear trousers of a two-year-old although I am 72. they took me to a room where I was put in a deep freeze for hours. I didn’t know that ice is hot like fire. After spending hours in the freezer, the abductors then took me to the bathroom where they poured hot water over my private parts. They wanted me to make a confession but I didn’t know anything about banditry and up to now I don’t understand why an old man like me was targeted,” said Chiramba.
In granting bail the magistrate demanded US$600 bail and title surety of US$20 000 per person. In addition, Mukoko is required to report to Norton Police Station twice a week and remain at her Norton house until the court proceedings are finalised.
It is to be hoped that all those responsible for these kidnappings, detention and torture will now be charged with crimes against humanity and face justice in the International Criminal Courts. Without the rule of law no government can expect acceptance, respect or cooperation by democracies of the international community.
source.The Zimbabwean (Zimbabwe) - March 5, 2009.