A popular Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporter Godfrey Karembera, who is affectionately known as Madibaba veShanduko, was allegedly severely beaten up today by the police in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Karembera is now facing charges of disorderly conduct.
In a tweet, ZLHR said, “Godfrey Karembera popularly known as Madzibaba veShanduko is facing a charge of disorderly conduct for allegedly wearing yellow regalia & telling people in Harare's CBD to vote for @nelsonchamisa. He is detained at Harare Central Police Station.”
CCC spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, released a video in a tweet showing Karembera with wounds on his back and breathing heavily following the assault.
Mahere said, “This video shows the deep cuts sustained by Madzibaba Shanduko earlier today when he was beaten by @ZimbabwePolice in town for wearing yellow. After beating him up, they arrested him for ‘disorderly conduct’. He is in pain.”
Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, was unreachable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone.
In a tweet, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Information said, “We have seen allegations of someone being ill-treated in Police custody. Facts are currently being gathered and once information becomes available, it will be released to the public.”
In her response to this tweet, Mahere noted that “this is our member Madzibaba veShanduko who's been badly assaulted on his back by the @ZimbabwePolice for wearing his yellow regalia. The continued violence & harrassment against our members by the regime in Harare through @ZimbabwePolice & ZANUPF thugs must be stopped now.”