Amnesty International on Monday called for an independent investigation after police in Zimbabwe cracked down on a public transport sector strike which brought large parts of the capital Harare to a standstill.
Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa, Muleya Mwananyanda, said: “The deplorable use of force by the police against protesters amounts to human rights violations under the country’s international and domestic laws. Police must comply with international standards governing the use of force in policing protests.
“Authorities must launch an independent and impartial investigation into the conduct of the police officers who are found to have used unnecessary force against protesters,” Mwananyanda said. “Police must stop using force to suppress dissenting voices.”
Amnesty said public transport operators and taxi drivers embarked on protests around Harare against increased police roadblocks, leaving commuters without transport.
There were reports of violent clashes between protesters and police, with Zimbabwe Police Republic later issuing a statement announcing a heavy police presence “to deal with any public disorder situation”.
Police had arrested dozens of people after commuter transport operators in some of the city’s areas were involved in violent clashes with police as they protested against police roadblocks.
The protesters used stones and burning tyres to blockade roads that led into the city centre and said they would not allow any vehicles to ferry people into town until the police stopped mounting roadblocks every day.
The protesters also demanded that corrupt police officers who fleeced them of their money at the roadblocks be arrested.
Protests were reported in Ruwa, Zimre Park, Hatfield, Epworth and Mabvuku where drivers and conductors blocked roads with stones and attacked any vehicles found ferrying people into town.
Video – Zimbabwean police severely beat taxi driver
Video – Zimbabwe police brutally beat protester
South Africa Today Africa – Southern Africa Zimbabwe News
