By Tatenda Dewa
BULAWAYO – A three-year-old toddler died during a clampdown on Bulawayo residents suspected to have taken part in last week’s demonstrations against President Robert Mugabe’s government, according to fresh reports.
Reports made to Crisis in Zimbabwe indicate that the child, Tapuwanashe Mutasa who was barely 3 years old, died on Wednesday alongside an adult when the police raided Burombo Flats, a residential property in the low-income suburb of Makokoba.
Residents accused the police of using tear smoke to flush out the alleged protesters. The two are believed to have been trampled upon in the ensuing melee.
“Yesterday Bulawayo Police came to apologise to the bereaved families and provided firewood but what is surprising is that they came in the presence of police dogs trying to intimidate residents” said Tineyi Mukweva of Abameli Human Rights Lawyers.
Bulawayo, together with Harare, Beitbridge, Masvingo, Mutare and other urban centres, was recently rocked by violent protests as residents demonstrated against corruption, bad governance and a worsening economic crisis.
Veritas, a national legislation watchdog, reported in its latest update on Thursday that a commissioner from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) had been dispatched to Burombo Flats to investigate the reported deaths.
“In Bulawayo, where it was alleged that the police forcibly evicted tenants of a hostel and in the process caused the death of a child, the commission (ZHRC) sent a commissioner to look into the matter,” said Veritas.
Dumisani Nkomo, the Crisis spokesperson, condemned police heavy handedness in their reaction to the protests.
“Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has challenged the State’s heavy handedness in dealing with peaceful protestors following Wednesday’s #ShutDownZimbabwe.
“We reiterate that the founding values of our nation have been compromised and the right to free expression has been violated through wanton purges of protestors and citizens,” said Nkomo. Nehanda Radio
Discover more from Nehanda Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
