Rights group unpacks protest toll

A Zimbabwean human rights group has said the death toll following an army crackdown in the country has risen to 17 and warned that the killings may amount to crimes against humanity. The most recent death occurred on 3 February. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said the dominant actors in the killings were the Zimbabwe National Army, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and a militia suspected of being aligned with the ruling Zanu-PF party. A Mail & Guardian Online report notes that security forces launched the crackdown after protests erupted on 17 January, triggered by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s announcement of massive fuel hikes. 'The violations include at least 17 extra-judicial killings, 17 cases of rape or other violations of a sexual nature, 26 abductions, 61 displacements, 81 assaults consistent with gunshot attacks, at least 586 assaults and torture, inhuman and degrading treatment including dog bites,' the group said in its report.