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Rights Groups Welcome Court Ban on Brutal Zimbabwe COVID-19 Lockdown

Columbus Mavhunga

   HARARE - Human rights groups in Zimbabwe have welcomed a court ruling
   ordering state security forces not to assault citizens while enforcing
   the country's coronavirus lockdown. One of those injured says he wants
   compensation from the government as his arm and leg were broken,
   allegedly by security forces.

   The high court ruled Tuesday that security forces must respect human
   rights while enforcing the 21-day lockdown, which ends later this week.
   That followed an urgent petition from advocacy group Zimbabwe Lawyers
   for Human Rights, which said it had recorded several rights abuse cases
   by the army and police.

   Twenty-eight-year-old Tendai Mthombeni said security forces broke his
   arm and leg while forcing him to stay indoors last Friday. In a
   telephone interview, Mthombeni said he cannot go back to South Africa
   where he works because of the injuries, so now wants compensation.

   He said he doesn't believe forces will follow the court ruling. They
   act like they are drunk or frustrated because of poor remuneration when
   dealing with civilians. He added that he has dependents and he does not
   know how they are surviving since he is now stuck in Zimbabwe.

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