CSU statement on continued detention of staff
8 November 2012
Dear Colleagues,
Fidelis, Zachariah and Tafadzwa have just spent their third night in the
police cells, two in Harare Central and last night, in Bulawayo Central
Police Station after an unwarranted transfer to Bulawayo. They were
transported on the back of an open pick up truck, registration ACD 6377,
with no protection from the sun, despite the temperature reaching 33 degrees
in Harare. They were then moved to Bulawayo from Kwekwe in a twin cab ABI
3608 and arrived at 18h00. They were not interviewed by the police, but
immediately detained in the police cells on a detention order which had been
prepared in Harare.
The following facts of the arbitrary raid and arrest and detention need
highlighting.
Counselling Services Unit is a lawfully registered medical clinic providing
non-partisan counselling and referral to all victims of trauma.
On Monday 5 November, the clinic was threatened with violence and normal
services were disrupted by the invasion of the clinic by 12 uniformed and
non-uniformed police officers, including members of the Bomb Disposal Squad
and an Information Technology expert. The clinic was surrounded by armed
riot police who threatened to fire tear gas into the building, which is also
occupied by other tenants. Patients awaiting services were left unattended
for 4 hours while the police demanded and forcibly accessed confidential
medical records. They removed a computer which contains confidential client
information and client records. No further booked patients were able to
enter the building to receive treatment.
Counselling Services Unit adheres to the Environmental Compliance
requirements for health facilities, following the guidelines issued by the
Ministry of Health. The guidelines require separation of cleaning materials
for areas of ablution and areas of food storage and preparation. The
cleaning utensils are clearly marked using spray paint, and the paint is
stored on the premises in the work area of the janitor. It is not hidden or
stored secretively and was purchased in July 2012. CSU have handed the
receipts of purchase of three 250ml cans of spray paint from the local
hardware store to the police. The police fixated on the finding of this
paint and refused to listen to any explanation. With no further
investigations, 5 staff members were arbitrarily arrested and transported to
Harare Central Police station for further questioning. 2 staff members were
released 2 hours later, and 3 have been detained since then with no warned
and cautioned statement and no indication of charges. The removal of the 3
staff to Bulawayo after the required time for a court appearance and the
further detention order with no defined charges or substantive evidence of
illegal activities constitutes serious and illegal harassment.
Counselling Services Unit is deeply concerned about the protracted course of
this situation and the non-adherence to the law by the arresting officers.
CSU is concerned about the safety of Fidelis Mudimu, Zachariah Godi and
Tafadzwa Geza.
We would request solidarity and protest on the following fundamental issues
of this series of events.
1. Disruption of medical services to victims of trauma, and the
unwarranted terrorisation of patients awaiting services
2. The illegal access to confidential patient medical records
3. The unwarranted deployment of armed riot police to the offices
creating alarm and fear to the other tenants of the building and surrounds
4. The illegal removal of a computer, which is not covered in the search
warrant which stated a “search for material likely to deface any house,
building, wall, fence, lamp post, gate or elevator without the consent of
the owner or occupier thereof”.
5. The removal of confidential medical and legal records without
permission of the patients to whom they pertain.
6. The arbitrary selection of staff for arrest with no concrete evidence
of any crime having been committed, particularly in Bulawayo where CSU has
no clinic.
7. The illegal detention and transfer of senior staff to Bulawayo without
formal charges, and exceeding the time limit for appearance before a
magistrate with formal charges.
Thank You.
Dr Frances Lovemore
Director
Counselling Services Unit