Police have denied they assaulted MDC-T activists arrested for the alleged murder of a police officer in Glen View last month.
The denial is contained in a report of investigations ordered by the court following complaints by the accused activists that they had been beaten up and tortured during interrogation upon their arrest.
The MDC-T activists who include national executive council member Last Maengahama and Tungamirai Madzokere, a councillor for Glen View, accused the police of ill-treatment including assault when they appeared in court on initial remand.
Harare magistrate Shane Kubonera ordered the police and the Attorney General (AG)’s Office to investigate the allegations and present a report of their findings.
The 38-page report prepared by the police CID law and order division and addressed to the AG’s office, police denied the allegations and described them as “lies”.
“The allegations filed by the accused persons are false and malicious and are only meant to smear the police. The allegations should therefore be dismissed,” reads part of the report signed by one Superintendent Muzambi, Officer Commanding CID Property, a copy of which is in NewsDay’s possession.
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When they appreared in court earlier this month, some of the MDC-T activists had visible wounds while Madzokere had blood clots in his eyes and had difficulty in walking.
Police have also denied in their report that they were armed.
“The arresting details were not at any time armed with rifles. The armoury records are available to indicate that none of the police officers had rifles booked to them. This is nothing but an amplified lie,” read part of the report.
Police have so far arrested 23 activists in connection with the murder of police inspector Petros Mutedza.
The High Court is yet to rule on a bail application filed by the activists.