MDC activist detained unlawfully for 5 days

A Bulawayo-based MDC activist Shadreck Chifamba was last week detained for five days at Bulawayo Central Police Station on false charges that he had insulted President Robert Mugabe.

Chifamba, 35, of Ilanga was picked up at his workplace by four armed men who refused to identify themselves.

The four men then drove him around the city threatening to kill him and asking him why he was an MDC supporter.

After five hours, Chifamba was later taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station and a false charge was brought against him alleging that he had insulted President Mugabe.

He spent five days in police custody, where he was physically and verbally abused.

He was only released after his wife reported the case to a local human rights lawyer who then facilitated his release from the unlawful custody.

However, Chifamba managed to identify one of his assailants as Joram Chiyangwa, a known Zanu PF official.