The violence against opposition activists and membersof the Movement for Democratic Change continues. Many of those now inhospitals around the country say they have escaped from military basesrun by members of the ruling ZANU-PF. They are able to identify rulingparty members by name.
It has taken several weeks for some toget medical attention in the eastern city of Mutare. Four people wereadmitted to hospital Monday with severely deep wounds. They say theyhad been held captive since around June 27, when President RobertMugabe was the only candidate in a second round of presidential voting.
InHarare, three people are receiving some medical attention under policeguard in the state's Parirenyatwa Hospital. Hilton Chironga his motherNeria, and a friend Hama Ngowani say they were severely beaten on July2 in their home village about 100 kilometers west of Harare.
Hilton's father, Gibbs Chironga, an MDC councilor, was killed on June 20.
Theysay after their beatings, they were forced to drink a white liquid, andboth still complain of severe stomach pains 13 days later. NeriaChironga is only able to drink milk.
Farmers say the liquidcould be a common and inexpensive insecticide manufactured in Zimbabwewhich can cause severe internal injuries if swallowed.
The threeare all to be charged with attempted murder. Hilton Chironga, with twobullet wounds, on an arm and a leg, and with a face distorted byinjuries, says he has no idea who they are supposed to have attemptedto murder.
He names nine of the approximately 15 people he says assaulted him and forced him to drink poison.
Hissister, Susan, is under arrest at Bindura Prison, also charged withattempted murder. Neria Chironga only learned Monday that her daughterwas in prison and not dead.
Human rights lawyer Alec Muchadahamasaid 14 MDC activists and officials charged with setting fire to an oldbus in Harare, have had charges withdrawn.
He said there werebetween 500 and 1,000 MDC detainees around the country. He said nonehad committed any of the charges brought up against them. One by one,he said, they were being released on bail or charges were beingwithdrawn.
Lawyers say they cannot recall a single MDC member,among tens of thousands arrested and charged over eight years, everbeing prosecuted and convicted of any violent crime.
Muchadahama said the conditions in prisons and police cells were inhumane and a grave threat to detainees' health.
There are no working toilets in the overwhelming majority of police cells and prisons around Zimbabwe.
Convicted prisoners are reportedly starving in state prisons.