The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum says it has recorded more than 200 human rights violations, allegedly committed by uniformed members and state agents, during the ongoing COVID-19 induced national lockdown.
The human rights group has raised concerns of escalating gross human right violations, use of brute force, torture, harassment and assault of ordinary citizens by state security agents since March 30, 2020.
The watchdog has also called for an urgent and independent investigation into the abduction and subsequent torture of three Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists after taking part in a flash demonstration in Harare’s Warren Park high-density suburb.
Meanwhile, two freelance journalists Samuel Takawira and Frank Chikowore were arrested by the police on Friday at a local clinic in the capital Harare where they were interviewing the three MDC activists who are recovering at the facility.
Zimbabwean journalists Frank Chikowore and Samuel Takawira, who were arrested yesterday for doing their job, have been remanded in custody to Tuesday. They’re prisoners of conscience. Journalism is not a crime. #BreakTheChains pic.twitter.com/vXfQHD9212
— Brezh Malaba (@BrezhMalaba) May 23, 2020
COVID-19 cases in Zimbbwe
The country has over 50 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 18 recoveries and four deaths since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday expressed gratitude to the team of Chinese medical experts for sharing their experience and knowledge with Zimbabwe’s medical staff in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
His thank-you letter was read out by Zimbabwean Health Minister Obadiah Moyo at a joint press conference at the conclusion of the team’s two-week task in the country.
“I write to express to you, and your colleagues, my deep personal gratitude, and that of my government and the people of Zimbabwe, for your unwavering support by sharing the expertise garnered from China’s victorious battle against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mnangagwa said in the letter to team leader, Zhu Yimin.
He said Zimbabwe’s medical staff benefited immensely from the team’s frontline knowledge in fighting COVID-19.
Below is the dashboard tracking global COVID-19 cases, death toll, recoveries and more:
