British war crimes cops probe Mugabe
26/05/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
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BRITISH war crimes detectives are building a case against President Robert
Mugabe and his henchmen who are accused of crimes against humanity, a
British newspaper reported on Saturday.
Scotland Yard’s SO15 War Crimes Team will interview Phillip Machemedze – a
former Central Intelligence Organisation torturer – in Bristol next week.
The Sun newspaper says detectives believe “his information could be crucial
in finally nailing Mugabe”, who stands accused of carrying out mass murder
during his uninterrupted 32-year rule.
The move comes after ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor, 64, was convicted
at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for murder, rape and using child
soldiers.
The Sun says Scotland Yard confirmed it was investigating human rights
abuses in Zimbabwe – targeting Mugabe’s brutal enforcers and those who
funded them.
A Zimbabwean business tycoon who fled Zimbabwe after falling out with Mugabe
and settled in London is also in the frame – allegedly for funding terror
squads, New Zimbabwe.com understands.
Machemedze claimed asylum in Britain and was allowed to stay after admitting
killing opposition supporters slowly by hacking off their limbs and pulling
out their teeth with pliers. He had “enjoyed” torturing victims, he told an
asylum judge.
Scotland Yard detectives will offer him immunity in exchange for information
which will be shared with ICC prosecutors who are prepared to charge Mugabe,
his army generals and their funders for rights abuses.
A source said: “The international community is fearful of a relapse into
blood-letting when Mugabe calls new elections. But this time they will be
ready with a damning dossier of past abuses and they will not hesitate to
winch out Mugabe and those who kill in his name for trial at the Hague.”