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Heads of Denominations, Bulawayo
Letter addressed to: Senator J F Mudende, Governor, Matabeleland North

Dear Senator Mudende

We refer to our meeting with you towards the end of November 1985 when we said we would let you have a report on human rights violations in Matabeleland.

Please now find enclosed our report. The cases cited have come from a number of different sources and speak for themselves. There is evidence of people disappearing, police and C I O torture, unlawful detentions and a general disregard by Police and C I O for fundamental human rights.

The Government has a moral obligation to deal with dissidents. We sympathise with the Government in this necessary and dangerous work. However, we believe that Government has at times in 1985, through the arms of the Police, C I O and Army, acted contrary to Christian standards of justice. Furthermore, we believe that Government has at times acted contrary to its own interest in that its actions have only tended to make more enemies for itself.

We do not propose to make any suggestions regarding what must be done about the human rights violations. We merely plead that the violations be investigated and stopped forthwith.

Yours faithfully

Archbishop Karlen Catholic Church

Bishop Mercer Anglican Church

David Coltart, Elder Presbyterian Church

On behalf of the Heads of Denominations
Bulawayo

HEADS OF DENOMIANTION: HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT

CASE 1 6.2.85

O.N. was arrested in Tjolotjo on the 6.2.85 and thereafter disappeared. On the 10.9.85 O.N.’s family discovered that he was being held by C I O at Stops Camp. O.N. was then handed over to C I D and his wife was advised in November 1985 that he had been released. O.N. has not been seen again and his lawyers are still trying to locate him.

Bulawayo Legal Practitioner’s Association
Letter addressed to: The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

Dear Sir

RE: HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT: MATABELAND

At the Annual General Meeting of the Bulawayo Legal Practitioner’s Association, held on Friday the 29th November 1985, concern was expressed regarding widespread violations of human rights in Matabeleland. It was unanimously agreed that a confidential report should be compiled so that these matters could be brought to the attention of the President, Prime Minster and yourself.

The attached report cites 30 cases during 1985 where individual’s rights have been abused. The report came from every firm of legal practitioners in Bulawayo bar one and the firm dealing with each case is noted.

You will note that in most cases cited the client has been released or taken to court and accordingly much of this deals with water already under the bridge. The main purpose of this report is to ensure that what has happened in Matabeleland in 1985 will not happen in 1986 or again.

There are eight major areas of concern arising from the report:

1. POLICE/C I O ASSAULTS

Section 15(1) of the Constitution states that “No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other such treatment”. Cases 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 23, 24, 30 detail widespread beatings and torture. The prime culprits would appear to be Police Internal Security and Intelligence branch (Pisi).

2. ILLEGAL DETENTIONS: SECTION 53(1) ORDERS

Section 53(1) of the Emergency Powers (Maintenance of Law and Order) Regulations 1983 states that a person may be detained in terms of this section for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days.