Zimbabwe police under fire over fresh allegations of brutality and abuse

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is under intense scrutiny following a series of incidents that have raised serious concerns about heavy-handed tactics, including alleged killings, torture, and assaults on schoolchildren.

Human rights lawyer Arnold Tsunga condemned these events as part of a disturbing pattern of abuse by law enforcement officers targeting civilians, vendors, and even young learners. He warned that impunity continues to be a central problem within the force.

In March, nearly 100 people were arrested during protests in Harare, but Tsunga highlighted that most detainees were not demonstrators but individuals caught up while commuting home from work.

"When they appeared in court, it became clear that the majority had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time," Tsunga said. "Detaining people under such circumstances, and holding them in filthy conditions, amounts to a serious abuse of police power."

Public outrage intensified after the death of 30-year-old Blessed Believe Juruvenge, who reportedly died from severe injuries inflicted by Constable Prince Ndavambi while in police custody at Ruwa Police Station last month. Ndavambi allegedly assaulted Juruvenge with a hoe handle, with fellow officers failing to intervene. After weeks on the run, Ndavambi was arrested on 12 June.

In a separate incident in Maphisa, Matabeleland South, police officers conducting a crime awareness campaign at Mahetshe Primary School allegedly beat several pupils, including toddlers. Witnesses reported uniformed officers slapping and caning learners, leaving some injured and visibly distressed. Parents and rights groups have condemned the act as unlawful and degrading, prompting a government investigation.

"The police are not mandated to discipline schoolchildren," Tsunga stated, describing the incident as a gross abuse of authority.

These fresh allegations have revived painful memories of Zimbabwe's post-election violence in 2018, when soldiers opened fire on protesters in Harare, killing six people. Despite a commission of inquiry led by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe recommending prosecutions, no one has been held accountable.

"These cases demonstrate a systematic failure to hold security forces accountable," Tsunga said. "There is a clear pattern of excessive and unlawful force that fosters public fear and distrust."

He called on the police to uphold principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and accountability in the maintenance of public order to restore public confidence.