Tatchell researched the '' Gukurahundi '' attacks in Matabeleland in the 1980s , when the Zimbabwean Fifth Brigade attacked supporters of the Zimbabwe African Peoples Union . He became convinced that Mugabe had broken international human rights law during the attack , which is estimated to have involved the massacre of around 20,000 civilians . Then in 1999 , journalists Mark Chavunduka and Ray Choto were tortured by the Zimbabwe Army . The arrest of Augusto Pinochet in London seemed to him a precedent that human rights violations could be pursued against a head of state , thanks to the principle of universal jurisdiction . On 30 October 1999 Tatchell and three other OutRage ! activists approached Mugabe 's car in a London street and attempted to perform a citizen 's arrest . Tatchell opened the car door and grabbed Mugabe . He then called the police . The four OutRage ! activists were arrested , on charges including criminal damage , assault and breach of the peace ; charges were dropped on the opening day of their trial . Mugabe responded by describing Tatchell and his OutRage ! colleagues as " gay gangsters " , a slogan frequently repeated by his supporters , and claimed they had been sent by the United Kingdom government
Gukurahundi
Gukurahundi
Peter Tatchell