CAHZ - Rules of Evidence

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Crimes Against Humanity Zimbabwe (CAHZ) - Rules of Evidence

Before a case comes to trial, be it a minor speeding offence or an accusation of murder, the outcome depends almost entirely on the quality and quantity of evidence. It is one thing to accuse a person of speeding, but unless the police can produce camera data in court, the case is likely to be dismissed.

And, if the photos of the speeding car are blurred or unconvincing, a lawyer representing the accused has a good chance of winning the case. The principles remain the same when someone is charged with wide scale murder and torture, as is likely to be the case in Zimbabwe.

If the evidence is not compelling, and properly documented, chances are the perpetrator will not even be arrested. You may have read moving stories in the Press about people in Zimbabwe, who have had the homes destroyed, families slaughtered or who have been singled out because of race or colour, but these accounts, while distressing, form only a basic level of evidence. What a judge or jury needs to hear is a detailed statement of fact.

When did the alleged incident take place including date and approximate time?
Where did it happen including an exact location if possible?
Who was present? What was said and done?
Who gave the orders and On whose authority did that person give those instructions?
What were the consequences? If injuries occurred, is there medical evidence? Do photos exist to support the case? Were there any witnesses?

CAHZ is currently gathering evidence from victims in Zimbabwe and from those in exile around the world. We are also working with other groups who have documented some of the abuse and we act as a back-up repository for those organisations where they can store copies of their dossiers. Sometimes evidence has been gathered, but with one or two key details missing, in which case we try to contact the victim in order to turn their statement into a court-ready affidavit.

On this website, we have set up a do-it-yourself page where you can log your own story of abuse in Zimbabwe. The fields prompt you to supply the key information necessary to turn your account into evidence for a future prosecution of those who wronged you.