Chronicle Editor
Government has made an undertaking to investigate allegations of misconduct by security forces including abuse of citizens during the violent protests about two weeks ago.
Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Ambassador Cain Mathema and his counterpart, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi said the authorities took seriously reports of alleged rape, sexual abuse and assaults allegedly committed by uniformed forces.
There has been a flurry of reports of the said abuse with a British broadcaster showing images of women who were allegedly brutalised. Ambassador Mathema said police had received only one report which was under investigations.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage wishes to acknowledge reports of rape, sexual abuse and assaults alleged to have been perpetrated by security forces during the recent operation. So far the police have received one such report from St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, and the case is under investigations,” he said.
Ambassador Mathema appealed to members of the public with information regarding the alleged misconduct by security forces to report to the police so that culprits could be brought to book.
Minister Ziyambi said all allegations of misconduct against security forces will be thoroughly investigated and the law will take its course.
He said those with complaints should report them to the police and they will be treated impartially and with sensitivity.
On Monday the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Cde Monica Mutsvangwa urged women who were allegedly raped by some rogue members of the security forces to report the abuse to the police.
Minister Mutsvangwa urged the women to take advantage of the police Victim Friendly Units (VFUs) which are manned by women officers, to open up.
“Rape is a heinous crime, cognisant of this fact, it is the duty of the police to investigate all reported cases of alleged rape,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She assured the alleged victims that their safety was guaranteed.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government does not condone and will never tolerate criminal behaviour by any member of society particularly those in position of trust.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Charity Charamba also said on Monday that the Zimbabwe Republic Police was appealing to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) providing the so called safe houses for victims to facilitate the reporting of such cases to the police.
On Tuesday Commissioner Charamba once again appealed to members of the public who may have been abused to report the abuse at their nearest police station.
We want at this juncture to implore members of the public to assist the police in their investigations by providing the crucial information on alleged misconduct by members of the security forces.
Those with information should not hesitate to contact the ZRP national complaints desk if they fear being victimised locally.
The abuse, if any, by members of the security forces can only be stopped if the perpetrators are brought to book hence the need for victims to report the abuse to facilitate police investigations.
Online Reporter