Mohadi ordered to produce 12 people

Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi was ordered by High Court Judge Charles Hungwe to produce 12 individuals whose whereabouts were unknown to their lawyers.

Mohadi was ordered together with Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri, Homicide Investigations commander Chrispen Makedenge, and a Detective Constable Muhuya to immediately produce the 12 individuals.

Alec Muchadehama, a lawyer for the detained individuals, told United States embassy officials that he had heard from contacts within the Central Intelligence Organization that the detainees had been shuffled by police and CIO officials between various police stations.

Muchadehama said government officials had refused to obey Judge Hungwe’s order and continued to deny knowledge of the whereabouts of the MDC members.

Full cable:

Viewing cable 08HARARE1029, MDC DETAINEES REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR, US ACTION

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C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 001029

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STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E. LOKEN AND L. DOBBINS

STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B. PITTMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2018

TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI

SUBJECT: MDC DETAINEES REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR, US ACTION

REQUESTED

Classified By: Ambassador James D. McGee for reason 1.4 (d)

¶1. (U) ACTION REQUESTED, SEE PARAGRAPH 5.

¶2. (SBU) From October 27 until November 1, Zimbabwean

security authorities seized 12 individuals, including a

mother and two-year old child, affiliated with the MDC. They

include local and national officials. The adults are

reportedly being interrogated for alleged involvement in

paramilitary camps in Botswana.

¶3. (U) On November 12, High Court judge Charles Hungwe

issued court orders to Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi,

Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri, Homicide

Investigations commander Chrispen Makedenge, and a Detective

Constable Muhuya to immediately produce the 12 individuals

whose wherabouts were unknown to their lawyers.

¶4. (C) Alec Muchadehama, a lawyer for the detained

individuals told us he had heard from contacts within the

Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) that the detainees

had been shuffled by police and CIO officials between various

police stations. Muchadehama said GOZ officials had refused

to obey Judge Hungwe’s order and continued to deny knowledge

of the whereabouts of the MDC members. He requested

assistance in publicizing this incident in order to put

pressure on the GOZ to produce his clients in court.

¶5. (C) ACTION REQUEST: We suggest that the Department

consider issuing a statement along the following lines:

“Reliable reports indicate that 12 individuals including a

mother and two-year old child were abducted by government

security agents between October 27 and November 1. Despite a

court order issued on November 12, the government has refused

them access to their attorneys and has failed to produce them

in court. We call upon the Government of Zimbabwe to adhere

to the lawful court order and to minimum standards of due

process by allowing the detained individuals immediate access

to attorneys, and by producing them in court.” END ACTION

REQUEST.

McGee

(15 VIEWS)