Zimbabwe police accused of torture

Nkala's murder has increased political tension

By Thabo Kunene in Bulawayo

Two opposition activists, held in connection with the murder of a leading war veteran in Zimbabwe, have said they were tortured into confessing by the police.

Cain Nkala, a stalwart in the ruling Zanu-PF party, was abducted from his home in the second city of Bulawayo earlier this month. His body was found a week later.

Police officers kicked me all over the body. Two police officers held my legs apart while I was kicked in the groin until I lost consciousness

Remember Moyo

The government accused the opposition Movement for Democratic Change of being behind the killing and 14 MDC suspects were detained, including an MP, Fletcher Dulini-Ncube.

At Nkala's funeral, President Robert Mugabe, accused the MDC of being a "terrorist" organisation.

The two suspects, Khentani Sibanda and Remember Moyo, made the disclosure during their bail application before Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Lawrence Kamocha.

Family threatened

Mr Sibanda denied he was involved in Nkala's killing. He told the judge that the MDC leaders were also not involved in the abduction and murder of the Bulawayo war veterans leader.

Treason charges against Tsvangirai were recently dropped

He said he made the confessions under torture after the police had threatened to kill his family.

He told the judge: "My Lord, I have nothing to do with the murder. Even the MDC leaders were not involved. I was only forced to implicate them to save my life."

Mr Moyo described to the judge how the police in Mbembesi Camp tortured him and forced him to confess to the murder.

Denied

He said his genitals were tortured by the police, who also told him to implicate the opposition party in the killing.

Mr Moyo also denied receiving funds from the MDC Member of Parliament for Lobhengula constituency, Fletcher Dulini-Ncube to kill the war veterans leader.

Mr Dulini is currently in police custody and was among six MDC leaders who were denied bail by the courts.

Mr Moyo also denied before the court that he knew Simon Spooner, an advisor to the MDC Member of Parliament for Bulawayo North constituency, David Coltart.

According to Mr Moyo, he only saw Mr Spooner at Khami Prison where they were both being held.

He also denied that Mr Spooner, a former soldier who trained in Australia, was involved in Cain Nkala's murder.

Urinating blood

"All these people, my Lord, are innocent. I only implicated them because I was tortured by the police. Police officers kicked me all over the body. Two police officers held my legs apart while I was kicked in the groin until I lost consciousness," he said.

Mr Moyo said when he regained consciousness he was in an empty cell.

His clothes were removed and he was forced to sleep on the bare concrete floor for two days. He urinated blood because of the injuries to his groin, he told the court.

The judge ordered the two suspects to be examined by a medical doctor.

Among the people who packed the court were police, government agents, MDC supporters and journalists.