Post by Michael on May 3, 2004 8:18:32 GMT -5
ZIMBABWE'S TORTURE TRAINING CAMPS
President Robert Mugabe's government has set up secret camps across
the country in which thousands of youths are taught how to torture
and kill. The Zimbabwean government says the camps are job training
centres, but those who have escaped say they are part of a brutal
plan to keep Mugabe in power. Former recruits to the camps have
spoken about a horrific training programme that breaks young
teenagers down before encouraging them to commit atrocities. Members
of the youth militia are warned never to tell of their experiences
inside the camps, and many refuse to be identified when talking about
their experiences.
However one girl, Debbie, claims she was kidnapped and forced into a
camp - where she was raped on her very first night. In accounts
gathered by reporters from dozens of youths, it appears that for many
of them the training in the camps begins with rape. Debbie said she
was raped three times on the first night, but claimed that the abuse
didn't stop then. She told: "I was raped again at night and they said
no-one can complain because its part of training." She claims she
used to share a blanket with an 11-year-old girl. The little girl was
also raped night after night.
President Mugabe has visited the camps. Ministry insiders said that
his government knows what goes on inside them. Food is often scarce.
Youths are beaten until they succumb to orders. They are taught that
their mission is to keep President Mugabe in power. Reporters have
also learned that some of the recruits are taught to torture his
opponents. Daniel was plied with alcohol and drugs, and learned how
to electrocute his victims. He said: "I would just touch, krr, krr -
tell us information." Asked if he thought it was OK to torture
people, he added that it was "nice", because "your mind is
disturbed".
During covert filming inside Zimbabwe, reporters also spoke to a camp
commander who told them that youths in his camp had been sent to kill
opponents of President Mugabe. He said: "In the area I am covering I
heard of two. My superiors instructed that the people must be
eliminated." What is more frightening is that President Mugabe now
wants every Zimbabwean youth to undergo training. We have been told
they will be used to intimidate political opponents in next year's
elections. The commander added: "These guys are going to be used by
the ruling party to keep the opposition out of power."
Source: Intercessors Network
President Robert Mugabe's government has set up secret camps across
the country in which thousands of youths are taught how to torture
and kill. The Zimbabwean government says the camps are job training
centres, but those who have escaped say they are part of a brutal
plan to keep Mugabe in power. Former recruits to the camps have
spoken about a horrific training programme that breaks young
teenagers down before encouraging them to commit atrocities. Members
of the youth militia are warned never to tell of their experiences
inside the camps, and many refuse to be identified when talking about
their experiences.
However one girl, Debbie, claims she was kidnapped and forced into a
camp - where she was raped on her very first night. In accounts
gathered by reporters from dozens of youths, it appears that for many
of them the training in the camps begins with rape. Debbie said she
was raped three times on the first night, but claimed that the abuse
didn't stop then. She told: "I was raped again at night and they said
no-one can complain because its part of training." She claims she
used to share a blanket with an 11-year-old girl. The little girl was
also raped night after night.
President Mugabe has visited the camps. Ministry insiders said that
his government knows what goes on inside them. Food is often scarce.
Youths are beaten until they succumb to orders. They are taught that
their mission is to keep President Mugabe in power. Reporters have
also learned that some of the recruits are taught to torture his
opponents. Daniel was plied with alcohol and drugs, and learned how
to electrocute his victims. He said: "I would just touch, krr, krr -
tell us information." Asked if he thought it was OK to torture
people, he added that it was "nice", because "your mind is
disturbed".
During covert filming inside Zimbabwe, reporters also spoke to a camp
commander who told them that youths in his camp had been sent to kill
opponents of President Mugabe. He said: "In the area I am covering I
heard of two. My superiors instructed that the people must be
eliminated." What is more frightening is that President Mugabe now
wants every Zimbabwean youth to undergo training. We have been told
they will be used to intimidate political opponents in next year's
elections. The commander added: "These guys are going to be used by
the ruling party to keep the opposition out of power."
Source: Intercessors Network