ZIMBABWE PROTESTS: Soldiers accused of torture, excessive force

Zimbabwe soldiers and police have been accused of beating and using excessive force on anti-government protesters in the country’s capital of Harare and Bulawayo.

Residents say soldiers and policemen who kept up patrols and checkpoints in both cities were seen beating people on the streets but the police and military have denied such accusations of excessive force.

“Soldiers just appeared in a truck and started beating up people at the shopping centre. They told everyone to go home and sleep,” said one resident from Glen Norah township in Harare who declined to be named.

“I was lucky because I managed to escape but this is really cruel.”

Lawyers and activists say police and soldiers have killed at least a dozen people, wounded scores and arrested hundreds since demonstrations began 10 days ago following a hike in the price of fuel.

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However, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promised to investigate the security service crackdown on anti-government protesters.

The political unrest in Zimbabwe has reportedly forced some opposition leaders to go into hiding while some dissidents have decided to challenge government clampdown in court.

The counsel for rights activist, pastor Evans Mawarire said he would seek bail at the High Court after his client was charged with subversion while another opposition leader Beatrice Mtetwa said she was unsure when the court would hear her case.

Mawarire is the most prominent of hundreds of people, also including four opposition lawmakers, detained on public order charges on Friday following violent protests last week against fuel price hike.

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