Zimbabwe: Attacks on farm workers and their children must end now

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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE


AI Index: AFR 46/005/2004 (Public)
News Service No: 079
5 April 2004


On Friday 2 April 2004, seventeen children from Roy Bennett's Charlswood Farm, ranging in age from eight to 17 years were stopped by soldiers on their way home from a football game. After being forced to assault each other they were then beaten by the soldiers. The incident was reported to the police. To date no arrests are known to have been made.

On 27 March 2004, four police officers reportedly forced their way into the home of a woman on Charleswood Farm, handcuffed and beat her. Later, three of the men left and the remaining officer raped her. The following morning the woman reported the rape at the local police station and identified the policeman who had raped her. Although police at the station arrested the police officer accused of rape, no action appears to have been taken against the three other officers involved in the attack.

On 6 February 2004, three women and two men working on Charleswood Farm were abducted by "war veterans" who severely beat the five workers and set dogs loose on them. One of the women, Violet Ngwenya, was later taken to another room and repeatedly raped. All five were released the following day, and reported the attack to the local police. To date no one has been arrested for these attacks.

Two days later, Shemi Chimbarara was shot and killed on Charleswood Farm, reportedly when members of the Zimbabwe National Army opened fire on a group of farm workers. Another farm worker, John Kaitano, was shot in the leg. The shootings were reported to the police. To date no-one has been arrested for these attacks.

Amnesty International is calling on the Zimbabwe authorities to ensure that the police and army abide by the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human rights.

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