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Rights group condemns detaining, torture of Gogo

by Stephen Jakes
20 Mar 2018 at 06:59hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) condemns in the strongest terms the detaining and torture of Evans Gogo (33) at the hands of the police following the violence that rocked Harare Central Police Station, leading to the shooting that claimed two lives on 23 February 2018.

Gogo was severely assaulted by the police on the head, privates, under the feet, legs, back and was then taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital on the 24th of February. While still critically ill, police transferred him to remand prison where he was not receiving adequate medical treatment.

His mother, Eustina Gogo, his sister Charity and relatives had to buy him diapers, milk and tubes that were being used to feed him milk as he could not eat, sit, talk or walk.

While his mother and sister are of the opinion that Evans, who is a vendor, was on his way home when he was apprehended by the police, he was charged with public violence, which is Chapter IV Clause 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] .

 On 8 March Gogo's relatives approached the Forum and the Forum paid his bail and he was released. He was then admitted at the Avenues Clinic after help from the Counselling Services Unit, which is a Forum member that provides psycho-social support for victims of violence and torture.

After being bludgeoned on the head with an unknown object while in police custody, Gogo is suffering from brain edema, that is, swelling of the brain due to severe beating he received at the hands of the police.

He was also beaten on the privates with an unknown object, such that he is unable to pass urine and is using a urine bag. Gogo can no longer speak or walk due to the torture.

Gogo is expected to appear in court on March 28.

The Human Rights NGO Forum is assisting Gogo on the case.

Source - Byo24News