#Chombo severely beaten, held blind-folded for a week in military custody, now hospitalised

Former Zimbabwean finance minister Ignatius Chombo was admitted to hospital on Friday with injuries sustained from beatings he received in military custody after the army’s intervention against Robert Mugabe a week ago, his lawyer said.

Lovemore Madhuku said Chombo had injuries to his hands, legs and back and was blindfolded throughout his week in custody. He was being accused of corruption and abuse of power relating to his time as local government minister more than a decade ago, Madhuku added.

“It was a very brutal and draconian way of dealing with opponents,” he told Reuters. 

Chombo, who was among those detained by the military in an operation against “criminals” around ousted president Mugabe last week, has been handed over to the police, a relative said on Friday.

The relative, who wished to remain anonymous because of safety fears, said Chombo had been severely beaten while in military custody.

Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said she had no information about Chombo. Reuters