MUTARE, August 6 2008 – Mozambiquan police officers are reportedly ill-treating Zimbabweans crossing into their country to shop for basic commodities or conduct business.
This follows the significant cutting down of the quantity of foodstuffs that Zimbabweans can buy from the neighbouring country.
“I lost thousands of Mozambiquan Meticais and groceries to the police, after being arrested on flimsy grounds and others, especially women, have had to offer sexual favours to some male police officers to escape the ill treatment,” said a Zimbabwean who fell victim to Mozambiquan police.
Tawanda Madondo, a Harare resident, said the police are arresting Zimbabweans on flimsy charges such as being falsely accused of being drunk,even when they are not driving.
Tonderai Sithole, another Zimbabwean said he was suspected of being a diamond dealer searching for buyers in Manica town and was searched.
He said when the police failed to find diamonds on him, they took away thousands of Meticais he had on him.
Beer lovers have also fallen prey to the police who seemingly become thirsty each time they see a Zimbabwean carrying a crate of beer.
Beer is in short supply in Zimbabwe and where it is available, prices are far beyond the reach of many.
A beer now costs about US$10 in most hotels, which is enough to buy two six packs in Mozambique.
Officials from the Mozambiquan consulate in Mutare refused to comment saying they needed to investigate the claims first.
dziidzai kutenga kunyika kwenyu.
NDIYO NYAYA YACHO, VANHU VANO KANGANWA KUTI TAKAMBO VABATSIRAO.
SUCH IS LIFE ANYWAY.
VACHADZOKA ZVAVO KANA ISU TO ITA ZVEDU ZVIYA. TAVE KUFAMBISA NYIKA YEDU BHO-BHO.
There are many, many incidents of South Africans also being harassed by the Mozambique police force. In fact the Force in police force refers more closely to the force the police take when they rape innocent South African youngsters! Recently I heard of 5 girls and 5 guys being arrested on flimsy charges where the police gang raped them and then threw them in a cell to be gang raped again.
Other stories have reached many ears about S.A. citizens being pulled over and threatened with fictitious charges unless “fines” are paid immediately of three thousand rand or more!
Recently some friends were on the way back to S.A. after a trip to Mozambique that they take every year and were stopped and accused of defecating on the beach and ordered to pay R2000.00 or be arrested. They were not even on the beach!!!
This should surely be addressed by some form of the South African Government! This is acts to war i think! Mozambique OFFICIALS attacking South African citizens!
This needs to be stopped and if our government can’t stand up for its own then we need to boycott the travel in Mozambique as I’m sure that would hit them where it hurts most!
It’s outrageous and I hope this mail finds its way to a HUMAN in Mozambique who cares about how their country is portrayed & run instead of the animals that are taking advantage there.