Police hunt terror charge photo-journalist

Police hunt terror charge photo-journalist

• Zimbabwe's last 'political prisoners' freed

• Jestinsa Mukoko freed on bail

• 8 MDC activists freed on bail - lawyer

• Lawyer 'puzzled' as Mukoko denied bail

• 'I was barefoot, with no pants on': Mukoko tells of moment she was abducted

• 'Incompetent lawyers' botched Mukoko freedom bid - judge

• Toddler held with parents in Mugabe plot freed

• Tsvangirai's adviser, 6 others charged in bomb plot

• Mukoko, 8 others to remain in jail until Jan. 4

• Judge rules Mukoko must see doctor

• Judge rules Mukoko must be treated in prison

• Magistrate rules activists must stay in jail as Tsvangirai deadline looms

• Mukoko says she was tortured, wants charges dropped

• Magistrate withholds contempt ruling on Mukoko and others

• Mukoko, 9 others charged with plot to overthrow Mugabe

By Lebo Nkatazo
Posted to the web: 24/04/2009 01:55:11
ZIMBABWEAN police were hunting photo-journalist Andrison Manyere on Thursday night after prosecutors lodged an appeal against a High Court judge’s decision to grant him bail, along with members of the MDC charged with terrorism offences.

MDC officials Ghandi Mudzingwa, a former aide to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, and Chris Dhlamini, the party’s director of security, were seized by state agents on different dates in November and December last year on domestic terror charges, but were freed last Friday after being granted bail by Harare High Court judge, Charles Hungwe.

But on Monday, police swooped and re-arrested Mudzingwa and Dhlamini, who are currently under police guard at Avenues Clinic where they are undergoing treatment. Their lawyers say they were tortured and denied food.

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said Thursday they were now looking for Manyere to re-arrest him.

“The Attorney General has appealed against the granting of bail which means that judgment has been suspended,” Bvudzijena said.

In an affidavit submitted to the High Court during bail hearings, Dhlamini said he was subjected to a form of torture called “water-boarding” – famously used by the CIA on alleged terror suspects at the infamous Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

“I was lifted up and my head was submerged in the sink and held for long periods by someone in a mock drowning – water boarding which is a form of severe torture to which I was subjected during my unlawful abduction and detention. This mock drowning went on and on until I felt that I was on the verge of drowning,” Dhlamini said.

“Still blindfolded, I had my legs tied together, my hands cuffed behind my back and I was suspended from a considerable height. The first time I was hung upright and subjected to further assaults, including further beatings on the soles of my feet.”
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
newsdesk@newzimbabwe.com