ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM

POLITICAL VIOLENCE REPORT

MAY 2004

28 July 2004

A report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

OVERVIEW

The group of ZANU PF youths from Mbare (HARARE Province) who are known as Chipangano have been consistently reported as perpetrating organised violence and torture since April 2003. However no arrests or prosecution of the members of this group are on record as having taking place. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum is regards the climate of impunity that has been created for this notorious grouping with great concern. Chipangano is alleged to have been involved in several incidents of political violence, including intimidation, assault, forced displacement and property damage, in May 2004. The Chipangano group allegedly invaded the venue for an MDC rally in Mbare East constituency (Harare PROVINCE) on 16 May 2004 and attacked the MDC supporters who had gathered for the rally. The group is alleged to have also carried out attacks after the rally against those that had attended it. TCM alleges that Amos Nyakudya, Makuwatsine, Gonzo and other ZANU PF youths belonging to the Chipangano group beat him at his house on allegations of being an MDC supporter. EM claims that her property was destroyed and he was displaced by ZANU PF supporters because he had attended the MDC rally. NM and other MDC supporters were allegedly beaten by ZANU PF youths belonging to Chipangano because they were seen putting up posters calling for the MDC meeting in Mbare East constituency. The Chipangano youths allegedly followed them to their homes later at night, destroyed their property, and then forced them to leave, saying that Mbare was not a place for MDC supporters.

Zimbabwean citizens continue to have their rights to political participation violated, including the “right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to political parties” and the “right not to be compelled to belong to an association.” Victimisation of persons for attending rallies held by the opposition is a worrying development ahead of the March 2005 Parliamentary Elections as this inevitably affects the ability of opposition political parties to campaign freely. The Human Rights Forum urges the Government and its law enforcement agencies to redress the situation and create an environment in which all political parties can campaign freely. This is of particular importance bearing in mind that “the free expression of the will of the people is contingent as much upon the ability of political parties to campaign freely without fear of retribution as it is on the integrity of the polling and counting processes.” “

Members of the Chipangano group and other ZANU PF supporters reportedly victimised MDC supporters and civilians in Mbare East constituency (Harare PROVINCE), on allegations of having attended an MDC rally in the area on 16 May 2004. In Mbare West (Harare PROVINCE), TG of Tagarika Flats in Mbare claims that her husband was also attacked by ZANU PF supporters on allegations that he had attended an MDC rally in the area. When TG’s husband fled, the ZANU PF activists purportedly returned to the home, assaulted TG, and stole some of her household property. AP claims that Constables Chikadza and Njani and other police officers arrested him, detained him at Harare Central Police Station and severely assaulted him during his period of detention because he had also attended the MDC rally.

MDC supporters that attended a rally in Chendambuya, Makoni North constituency (MANICALAND Province) were also reportedly victimized on this basis. TAM, MDC chairperson in the area, claims that at around 12 midnight ZANU PF youths went to her house and accused her of attending the MDC rally. They went on to burn her granary, which had maize stored in it, and then assaulted her. BM alleges that Thomas, Khumalo and other ZANU PF supporters abducted him and severely assaulted him because he attended the rally at Chendambuya. DC of Kasimu village and MM purport that they were also abducted by the ZANU PF supporters on allegations of having attended the MDC rally in Chendambuya. DC claims that the youths set his house on fire and then took him to Makombe Business Centre where other MDC activists who had been abducted were being kept. They were released the following morning having been assaulted through the night. They reported the matter to Headlands Police Station.

Totals: 1 May 2004 – 31 May 2004

Cumulative Totals: 1 January 2004 – 31 May 2004

Sources: The information contained in this report is derived from statements made to the Public Interest Unit of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum, statements taken by the member organisations of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum. (See last page for list of member organisations), newspaper reports, Justice for Agriculture (JAG), Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), Zimbabwe Community Development Trust (ZCDT), Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN).

Notes to the tables:

Torture:

All cases of torture fall under the definition of torture according to the general definition given in the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment.

The four elements of torture are:

Severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental

Intentionally inflicted

With a purpose

By a state official or another individual acting with the acquiescence of the State.

Those individuals referred to in point # 4 include the ZRP, ZNA, ZPS and the ZNLWVA (as a reserve force of the ZNA) and by any other grouping when directly sanctioned by the state.

Unlawful arrest and detention:

Arrest by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) with no reasonable suspicion that an offence has been committed. Detention thereafter for a period exceeding 48 hours without access to redress through the courts or subsequent release without charge.

Abduction/kidnapping:

A kidnapping by a member(s) of an organised group that is not the ZRP, political party, ZNLWVA, ZNA, MDC, Zanu PF etc

Disappearance:

Kidnapped persons whose whereabouts remained unknown at the time of reporting. Their whereabouts have still to be ascertained through follow up reports or further investigation.

Property related

These are incidents in which property rights have been violated. This includes arson, property damage and destruction and theft.

Key Abbreviations

AIPPA – Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

CIO – Central Intelligence Organisation

MDC – Movement for Democratic Change

MP – Member of Parliament

NAGG - National Alliance for Good Governance

NCA – National Constitutional Assembly

OVT – Organised Violence and Torture

POSA – Public Order and Security Act

PTUZ – Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe

UMP – Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe

Zanu PF – Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front

ZCTU – Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

ZNA – Zimbabwe National Army

ZNLWVA – Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association

ZPS – Zimbabwe Prison Service

ZRP – Zimbabwe Republic Police

ZIMTA – Zimbabwe Teachers Association

ZUPCO – Zimbabwe United Passenger Company

Cases of Political Violence

Note: The identities of victims whose names have not been published in the press and are not public officials are protected by the use of initials. This is done in order to protect the victim from further violence, intimidation and possible recriminatory attacks.

The purpose of this report is to record the nature of the politically motivated violence and intimidation that continues to prevail in the country. The Monthly Political Violence Reports are primarily based on victims’ accounts, accompanied by medical evidence where possible, obtained from member organisations of the Human Rights Forum and other partner organisations. Use is also made of press reports on politically motivated violence. The situation prevailing in the country is such that it has not been possible to verify all of these accounts. The Human Rights Forum has done what it can to verify the reports, and is satisfied that the vast majority of them are substantially true. It is not possible to rule out whether a victim’s account is exaggerated or contains inaccuracies.

All reports derived from the press are denoted with the symbol ∑.

HARARE

Chitungwiza

2 May 2004

JT asserts that at around 03:00 hours some ZANU PF youths came to her home and knocked at her house claiming to be police officers. When she opened the door, saw that the persons were in fact ZANU PF youths and not police officers. The ZANU PF youths allegedly accused her of being an MDC activist because she had attended an MDC rally the previous day. It is reported that the victim was taken to a bushy area where she was beaten on the back and buttocks. She received treatment at a clinic in Harare.

14 May 2004

∑Donald Chakamanga, a trainee journalist, claims that Obert Manzunzu and another MDC supporters harassed him and other passengers aboard a bus heading for Harare. Manzunzu and his colleagues also allegedly shouted obscenities about the Government. Chakamanga, who was coming from the Chitungwiza Magistrates Court, alleges that Manzunzu and his colleagues went on to harass him saying, “kunyangwe uri mwana wamudhara tiri kuda kumuuraya’ (even if he is a son of the old man we want to kill him). Some of the MDC youths on aboard the bus reportedly assaulted Chakamanga with clenched fists. Manzunzu was arrested by the police the following day outside the Chitungwiza Magistrates Court as he and 2 other MDC supporters waited for Chakamanga, whom they threatened to assault in front of the police.

Dzivarasekwa

29 May 2004

GG purports that he was assaulted and threatened with death by ZANU PF activists for supporting the opposition party MDC. He claims that he was forced to flee the area.

Harare Central

12 May 2004

JP, an MDC activist who was part of the group that joined the NCA demonstration in Harare, claims he was arrested by police officers in civilian clothing. JP asserts that the police beat him severely on the head, legs and all over the body, forced him into a Police Defender truck and then ordered him to sit on the floor. He was then taken to Harare Central Police Station in handcuffs JP alleges that he was taken to the Law and Order Maintenance Section where he was further beaten for about two hours while being interrogated about the NCA demonstration. JP was fined Z$25 000 and then released.

EM alleges that as he was on his way home from the NCA demonstration with his two colleagues, they met a policeman speaking into his communicator radio. He claims that within a short time a Police Defender truck with uniformed police officers and police officers in civilian clothing had arrived. EM and his colleagues purportedly ran away but one of the officers in plain clothes chased after him and threatened to shoot him if he did not stop. EM claims that although he stopped immediately, the police officer went on to assault him on the head, chest, and all over the body. He alleges that when he attempted to escape, another police officer shouted “rova makumbo!” (“beat him on the legs”). EM was allegedly beaten on the knee, fell to the ground, and failed to get up and run. He alleges that he was beaten for about thirty minutes before the officers threw him into the back of the Police Defender truck. He claims that he was driven off and later dumped in the nearby industrial area.

JM was reportedly assaulted by police officers during a demonstration organised by the NCA. She claims that three police officers hit her on the back, head and right hand with baton sticks. The police reportedly then left her and went after other demonstrators that were fleeing.

19 May 2004

∑Elias Mushavi, a ZANU PF supporter, was buying some food with a colleague when he was reportedly abducted by about 7 MDC supporters and then released. The suspects were arrested by the police at the MDC Headquarters at Harvest House in Harare the following day, 20 May 2004. Mushavi and his colleague were among the ruling ZANU PF party supporters who had gathered outside the House of Parliament in Harare to demonstrate against the MDC MP for Chimanimani Roy Bennett, for his assault on the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa and the Minister of State in the President’s Office in Charge of Anti-Corruption and Anti-Monopolies, Didymus Mutasa, during a debate in Parliament on 18 May 2004. Bennett was allegedly incensed by comments made by Minister Chinamasa, who was addressing the legislators, to the effect that Bennett’s ancestors were thieves and that Bennett was “an inheritor of looted wealth.”

TS, SM, VB (a security officer at the MDC Headquarters at Harvest House), and others were reportedly attacked with stones by ZANU PF supporters at the MDC Headquarters at Harvest House in Harare. When the victims sought refuge in the offices, the assailants are said to have broken down the security gate, marched into the offices and further assaulted them. VB claims that he was hit on the legs and arms. The police then arrested TS, SM, VB and 6 others who were present and detained them at the Harare Central Police Station. VB asserts that he was detained for three days and that he was assaulted under the feet with sjamboks. TS and SM were released the following day without a charge being preferred against them. ZANU PF supporters reportedly went on a rampage, assaulting MDC supporters, over the assault on the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa and the Minister of State in the President’s Office in Charge of Anti-Corruption and Anti-Monopolies, Didymus Mutasa, by MDC MP for Chimanimani, Roy Bennett, during a debate in Parliament on 18 May 2004.

Hatfield

5 May 2004

MN, MDC youth leader for Epworth, claims that six police officers approached him and his colleagues at about 1800 hours at Domboramwari area, and accused them of inciting violence. MN and the other MDC youths were distributing MDC fliers encouraging people to register to vote and that had lost their identity documents replaced to have them replaced. KK, who was with MN, claims that the police officers surrounded them and that one of the police officers pointed a gun at him. KK was reportedly handcuffed by the police and beaten on the head, right hand, and in the chest whilst lying on the ground. MN asserts that nine of his colleagues escaped and that the six who failed to escape were handcuffed, forced to lie down and further beaten on their backs with sticks. MN and the others were reportedly taken to MN’s home and they were only released after his mother paid Z$150 000 to the police.

Highfield

May 2004

FM alleges that ZANU PF supporters kidnapped her brother, an MDC supporter, assaulted him and later released him. He has since fled the area for his rural home. Thereafter, the gang went back to the house and threatened FM with death if she kept residing at that house. FM was forced to move from her out of fear and she is now staying with her uncle.

29 May 2004

MK, an MDC activist, was reportedly attacked by a mob of ZANU PF activists who were armed with machetes and axes while he and other MDC supporters were attending a colleague’s memorial service. MK and the others who were attending the memorial service fought back and managed to overpower the assailants. He alleges that the assailants went and reported the matter to the police at Machipisa Police Station and that two of the MDC supporters who had earlier been assaulted by the ZANU PF supporters were arrested by the police.

Mbare East

1 May 2004

TCM alleges that Amos Nyakudya, Makuwatsine, Gonzo and other ZANU PF youths belonging to the group Chipangano beat him at his home on allegations of being an MDC supporter. TCM alleges that the assailants ordered him to vacate the area and he has since relocated.

12 May 2004

NM alleges that while he and other MDC supporters were putting up posters calling for an MDC meeting in Mbare, ZANU PF supporters descended upon them and beat them. The MDC supporters managed to escape but the assailants are said to have followed NM to his home wearing facemasks, and threatened him with death. NM claims that Eveline Mhangu, Shupi, Zivanai Matoho and the other ZANU PF supporters forced him to leave his home. TM, an MDC supporter who was also putting up the posters, claims that the ZANU PF youths from the group Chipangano also followed her to her home later at night and threw out all her property. AN asserts that the youths ordered him to go and stay at the MDC leader’s home, Morgan Tsvangirai, because Mbare was only for ZANU PF supporters. AN’s landlord reportedly evicted him fearing that ZANU PF supporters could damage his house. JC and PC allege that the youths also followed them home later at night and forced to them to leave. AN, JC, PC, NM and TM are now internally displaced. MDC supporters were putting up posters for an MDC rally in the Mbare East constituency on 16 May 2004.

14 May 2004

∑Jefta Tichaona Munyanyi, MDC MP for Mbare East, and 20 other MDC supporters reportedly approached Chakanetsa Musonza whilst he was drinking beer with some friends at Sisters in Matapi Night Club. Munyanyi allegedly hit Musonza with a stick and then accused him of supporting the ruling party ZANU PF. The MDC supporters who were with Munyanyi are also purported to have joined in the attack, beating him with an empty beer bottle and severely assaulting him all over the body with stones. Musonza sustained multiple injuries and he claims that the perpetrators went on to smash the windscreen of his car. Musonza reported the matter to the police and Munyanyi was later arrested at Mateneri Flats in Mbare. The rest of the perpetrators are reportedly still at large. Munyanyi was granted Z$50 000 bail.

16 May 2004

∑ZANU PF youths belonging to the group Chipangano allegedly invaded the venue for an MDC rally and attacked the MDC supporters who had gathered for the rally. This was despite the fact that MDC authorities had acquired police clearance to hold the rally. The rally was reportedly abandoned later after the police gave the directive that the MDC should no longer go ahead with the rally.

EC claims that at around 1400 hours when he arrived at the venue for an MDC rally in Mbare, ZANU PF youths from Chipangano attacked him with stones and assaulted him and the other MDC supporters with iron bars.

SM alleges that ZANU PF supporters forced her to leave her home because she had attended an MDC rally in Mbare East constituency that afternoon. SM claims that she was given no time to pack her belongings and to get her baby from the house and that currently, she is not aware of her child’s whereabouts.

AP was reportedly arrested on 16 May 2004 for attending an MDC rally. He was subsequently detained for seven days at police at Harare Central Police. AP alleges that he was severely assaulted during his period of detention. He further alleges that Constables Chikadza and Njani of Harare Central Police Station stole Z$150 000 from him while he was detained there. On the 8th day of his detention, he was reportedly moved to the Harare Remand Prison and further detained. AP purports that he was then taken to court where he was charged with public violence and then released on Z$50 000 bail. ZANU PF supporters who had gathered at AP’s home when he returned home after his detention subsequently chased him away from his home.

TG of Tagarika Flats in Mbare claims that her husband was attacked by ZANU PF activists on allegations that he had attended an MDC rally in the area. When TG’s husband fled, the ZANU PF activists purportedly returned to TG’s home and assaulted her, and stole some of her household property. Since then, TG claims that the assailants visit their house looking for her husband and that if they do not find him, they assault her.

HC claims that he was attacked by ZANU PF youths belonging to the group Chipangano because he was travelling in a truck belonging to MDC MP for Highfield, Pearson Mungofa, at around 1400 hours, together with other MDC supporters. HC alleges that he had caught a lift in the truck that was going to Mbare where he intended to visit his friend. However, the truck was also ferrying people to an MDC rally in Mbare. The truck was reportedly stopped by Chipangano youths, who were singing and chanting ZANU PF slogans. HC was allegedly hit on the face, head, and right leg with booted feet, fists, and logs for about five minutes.

HM was reportedly assaulted at the venue of the MDC rally by ZANU PF youths belonging to the group Chipangano with planks on the back and stabbed him with a screwdriver and a knife three times on the right thigh, once on the right buttock and once on the left armpit. HM sustained severe stab wounds and he was later taken to the hospital for treatment.

BMD alleges that on his way home from an MDC rally in the area, six Chipangano youths onboard the bus he was travelling in ordered everyone to disembark and follow them. The passengers in the bus reportedly refused to comply initially but later complied when they realised that the bus had been surrounded by Chipangano youths. BMD purports that he and the others were taken to a ZANU PF base where they were made to sit on the floor, which was filthy with human waste and urine, and then they were severely assaulted with motorcycle chains, fists and logs all over their bodies.

SG alleges that at around 16:00 hours while he was on his way from a school in Mbare, he met eight ZANU PF supporters who accused him of being an MDC supporter and of heading for the MDC rally at Mbare Grounds. They allegedly beat him with fists and open hands on the face and kicked him with booted feet. SG asserts that his brother is an MDC activist and that one of the assailants ordered the other ZANU PF supporters to attack because he knew the political affiliation of SG’s brother.

17 May 2004

GZ claims that he was assaulted by ZANU PF youths at his house because he had attended an MDC rally in Mbare on the previous day. The youths are said to have threatened him with death if he continued staying at his Mbare residence. SZ also alleges that she was assaulted by the ZANU PF youths and forced to flee from her home on allegations of attending the MDC rally.

EM was reportedly displaced by ZANU PF supporters because he had attended an MDC rally in the area the previous day. The assailants broke down the windowpanes of his house and looted all property at his home.

18 May 2004

RM sustained injuries all over his body when he was reportedly assaulted by ZANU PF activists because he had attended an MDC rally in Mbare on 16 May 2004. He has since relocated to Glen View fearing further assaults.

25 May 2004

∑Onismo Gore, a ZANU PF member, claims that MDC supporters lined a long cord drenched in petrol along the walls of the ZANU PF offices in Mbare, and threw a petrol bomb into the offices that resulted in a huge explosion. Gore was allegedly thrown to the ground by the force and he claims that his clothing caught fire as he tried to escape. He sustained some injuries. 8 MDC youths were reportedly seen fleeing from the scene as the petrol bomb exploded. Gore was taken to the hospital where he received treatment.

Mufakose

1 May 2004

ZANU PF supporters are reportedly threatening to kill AM, who is a member of the MDC. AM alleges that he can no-longer stay at his home because of the frequent visits from the youths. At one time the ZANU PF supporters went to look for him at his house and when they could not find him they allegedly smashed the windowpanes of his house. He reported the matter to the police at Mufakose Police Station but no action has yet been taken.

8 May 2004

RT alleges that at around 13:30 hours while he and other MDC supporters were singing political songs at an MDC rally at Rugare Stadium, riot police attacked and assaulted them with baton sticks. RT purports that he fell in to a trench as he tried to run away from the police, hitting his chin against a concrete block. The policeman who was chasing RT retreated when he noticed that he was bleeding profusely. RT later received treatment at a clinic in the area.

Zengeza

May 2004

JM alleges that a truckload of police officers arrived at a tuck shop where he and other MDC supporters were distributing MDC fliers and accused them of murdering people in the March 2004 Zengeza Parliamentary by-election. JM showed the police officers their fliers and explained to them that they were calling people to attend an MDC rally in Mbare, but the officers reportedly went on to arrest them. JM claims that he was kicked in the right side of the chest, right side of the wrist and the right foot.

5 May 2004

AM reports that at around 07:00 hours when she was in the company of a colleague wearing an MDC T-shirt, about seven ZANU PF youths stopped them and accused them of being sell-outs. Three of them reportedly hit AM using fists, kicked her with booted feet on the right side of the abdomen and then slapped her in the face with open palms. It is alleged that the youths ordered AM to remove her T-Shirt. The assailants fled upon the arrival of the police, however two of them were apprehended and are currently in police custody.

MANICALAND

Chimanimani

May 2004

∑About 200 ZNLWVA members reportedly rampaged Brigit Kidd's home, stole some food, and force marched her to the MDC offices about 60m away from her home - which they had also reportedly destroyed. Kidd claims that on arrival, she was given a broom and ordered to clean up the broken doors and windowpanes. Kidd owns the building, which also houses the MDC offices. The ZNLWVA members had allegedly burnt all the property, destroyed the gate, and removed the roof tiles. Kidd alleges that when she and the ZNLWVA members arrived at the offices, there were others were waiting for them chanting ZANU PF slogans and throwing furniture to the ground. Kidd alleges that the war veterans forced her to carry the ZANU PF flag, teased her and mocked her. She claims that after cleaning the debris, she was forced to sit in the dust with MDC Councillor David Matengu who was at the offices at the time the war veterans arrived.

Makoni North

2 May 2004

TAM, MDC chairperson in the area, claims that at around 12 midnight ZANU PF youths went to her house and accused her of having attended an MDC rally in Chendambuya. The assailants allegedly burnt her granary, which had maize in it and then took her to Makombe Business Centre where they tied her up and assaulted her until 10:00 hours the following morning. JC, who alleges that she was also visited that night by ZANU PF youths over her alleged attendance of the MDC rally in Chendambuya, was reportedly blindfolded by the youths and taken to a secluded area where she was assaulted until about 09:00 hours the following morning. TAM and other MDC activists who had been victimized reported the case to the police at Headlands Police Station after they were released by the youths. TAM was subsequently displaced by the assailants and is afraid to go back to her home. BM also alleges that he was abducted and severely assaulted by ZANU PF supporters following the rally in Chendambuya. He alleges that Thomas Sithole and Khumalo led the group that assaulted him.

3 May 2004

∑Douglas Chipinduka, his wife Joyce Katunga, Judith Chikadiwa, Barbara Munyaradzi, Marshall Muchipi and other MDC supporters, claim that they were abducted from their homes by ZANU PF supporters at about 02:00 hours and taken to Makombe Business Centre, where they were severely assaulted. The victims were later released at about 10:00 hours but reportedly warned never to participate in MDC activities again. Residents allege that ZANU PF youths in the area were hunting down and abducting MDC supporters who had attended the rally at Chendambuya. Police Spokesperson, Wayne Bvudzijena, admitted that he had received reports of assault but not those of abduction, and that one of the assailants had been arrested.

DC and MM of Kasimu village allege that ZANU PF supporters followed them to their homes and abducted them at night for having attended an MDC rally at Chendambuya. DC claims that the youths set his house on fire and then took him to Makombe Business Centre where other MDC activists who had been abducted were being kept. The MDC supporters allege that they were assaulted by the ZANU PF supporters from 02:00 hours until about 10:00 hours the following morning. They were later released and they reported the matter to the police at Headlands Police Station.

Mutare Central

19 May 2004

∑Roy Bennett, MDC MP for Chimanimani, alleges that Mike Madiro, ZANU PF Manicaland Provincial Chairman, and other ZANU PF supporters barred him from Manicaland saying that he would be risking his life by going there. The ZANU PF supporters threatened Bennett because of the scuffle that erupted between him and the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa, in Parliament on 18 May 2004. Madiro was addressing ZANU PF supporters gathered to express outrage over the assault on Chinamasa by Bennett.

MASHONALAND CENTRAL

Bindura

1 May 2004

LM, an MDC, activist was reportedly assaulted and had his house burnt by Noel Chikanga, Edsider Dumbu, Ogie Munetsi, Milton Kange and Hondo Gurure who are ZANU PF supporters. LM claims that when he fled to his neighbour’s house, the ZANU PF supporters followed him and further assaulted him. LM and his family have fled and are now of no fixed abode. LM alleges that the assailants promised the people living in his area money in the event that they find him and kill him.

MASHONALAND EAST

Seke

18 May 2004

JS alleges that war veterans who invaded Donoro Farm in Ruwa abducted him on suspicion that he was an MDC supporter. JS claims that when they searched his pockets and found him in possession of an MDC membership card, they severely assaulted him until the following morning using clenched fists, wooden planks and booted feet. JS has left his home for fear of further victimisation.

MASHONALAND WEST

Kariba

1 May 2004

AK alleges that at around 20:00 hours while she was sleeping at her house in Nyaminyami -Nyajena village in Kariba, ZANU PF supporters forced their way into her bedroom and kicked her in the lower abdomen. AK claims that she was given no time to fully dress and that she was dragged out of the bedroom by the youths, who demanded MDC cards, forms and any other items on the basis that her husband, the MDC Secretary for the Ward, had brought them from Harare. AK informed the group that she had no knowledge of the documents resulting in them beating her once with a stick on the forehead and buttocks. It is alleged that some of the ZANU PF supporters destroyed her hut, torched the thatched roof, and then threatened to axe her. She claims that the assailants harassed her all the way to her in-laws’ residence in search of her husband, while she carried her baby on her back. AK was then left at her in-laws’ because the baby on her back was crying. The assailants purportedly took her mother-in-law with them to help identify one Machimbidza, an MDC activist. AK purports that she went to Makonde Police Station at around 02:00 hours to report the incident and had to wait for the police from Siyakobvu from 02:00 hours to around 16:00 hours. The police reportedly took her to identify 7 of the accused and managed to identify 5 of them. AK later sought treatment from a clinic on 5 May 2004.

Zvimba North/ South

3 May 2004

∑Helen Maminimini, the Superior General, Electa Mubaiwa, Regional Superior, and Sister Notvurgo, Sisters of the Little Children of the Blessed Lady Church- (LCBL), Stanford Katonha (Zvimba District Lands Officer) and other ZANU PF activists are said to have visited Malabar Farm on May 3, and ordered the farm workers and the people residing there to vacate within 24 hours and make way for them. Arthur Swales and Ansy Sagar, Directors of Malabar Farm, claim that they explained to the delegation that the farm was not liable for compulsory acquisition. Katonha is alleged to have ignored the information from the two directors and ordered 80 farm workers to vacate, saying that the nuns were prepared to retain only 4 farm workers. Swales claims that at present, 5 illegal LCBL workers are staying on the farm after they fenced off the invaded part of Malabar Farm using wires they allegedly stole from the main perimeter fence. It is reported that on May 15 2004 at around midnight, Katonha arrived at the Farm with about 30 ZANU PF youths, to kick off the farm invasion. The ZANU PF youths reportedly rounded up the workers and forced them to chant ZANU PF slogans and raise the national flag on the farm. It is reported that the youths are now camped on the farm and are also demanding a share of the land. Sister Notvurgo reportedly demanded 2 tractors, irrigation equipment and other farm equipment from the owners of the farm.

MATEBELELAND NORTH

Lupane

5 May 2004

∑Luke Sibanda and Ntini Demadema Ncube claim that they were kidnapped by ZANU PF youths and taken to the local headman for Lupane, Mthunzi, who then handed them over to war veterans. They allege that the war veterans took them to their base at Matambo School where they were subjected to severe assaults. When released, Sibanda and Ncube reported the matter to the police but claim that the police turned violent on them, saying that there had been no report of kidnapping in the area. Sibanda and Ncube assert that they were subsequently arrested and then detained by the police in Lupane.

21 May 2004

MLD, MDC Women’s Committee member, was reportedly attacked and forced to leave Lupane by ZANU PF activists because of her involvement with the opposition party MDC. MLD claims that her parents in Bulawayo declined to stay with her for fear of being attacked by the ZANU PF supporters. The victim is now staying in Harare and has no adequate food or accommodation.

MIDLANDS

Gweru Urban

May 2004

∑ZANU PF supporters allegedly destroyed offices belonging to war veterans in Gweru. The youths had reportedly been bussed in from rural areas to demonstrate against the opposition MDC MP for Chimanimani, Roy Bennett, who had been assaulted Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa, in Parliament on 18 May 2004. They are said to have arrived at the offices, demonstrated for about three hours, and then indiscriminately beat up people and burnt mock coffins and papers near the Executive Mayor’s offices. The youths reportedly became violent and destroyed the ZNLWVA offices when they realised that the food handouts that they had been promised for taking part in the demonstration against the MDC MP were not available.

15 May 2004

∑Lovemore Madhuku, NCA chairperson, and 79 others were reportedly arrested by the police shortly before a meeting organised by the Civil Alliance for Social and Economic Progress (CASEP) in Gweru. He and the others were reportedly arrested on allegations of holding an NCA meeting without police clearance. NCA Information Officer, Ernest Mudzengi, denies the allegations that the gathering was an NCA meeting. Tabitha Khumalo, CASEP Projects Officer, claims that the police gave CASEP clearance to hold the meeting. Of the 80 who were arrested, 78 were released later that same day.

TMC alleges that he was assaulted by riot police at Midlands Hotel where he was attending a meeting organised by CASEP at around 09:00 hours. It is alleged that before Lovemore Madhuku, chairperson of the NCA, gave his speech, riot police came in and assaulted everyone. One of the riot police officers is said to have tipped the table where the victim was hiding and its edge hit him on the right middle finger. TMC purports that one of the policemen kicked him on the back and left elbow with booted feet and then hit him with a rifle butt, booted feet and a baton stick all over the body.

29 May 2004

∑Armed riot police officers allegedly stormed the venue of an MDC meeting and barred those who were present from holding the Provincial Assembly meeting for Midlands South at the MDC offices. MDC party leaders from around the country had been invited to the meeting to educate party representatives on the electoral process ahead of the 2005 General Elections. The riot police allegedly threatened to fire teargas at the delegates if they went ahead with their meeting. The police are also said to have barred the MDC authorities from paying out bus fares to delegates who had come from other towns to attend the meeting. MDC party officials claim that they had sought police clearance to hold a meeting the previous week and that the police had not responded to their request.

Kadoma West

1 May 2004

TR, an aspiring MDC candidate for Kadoma West constituency in the 2005 Parliamentary Elections, claims that she was attacked at Patchway turnoff by ZANU PF supports as she drove 9 MDC youths who had been beaten up and displaced from their homes in the constituency by ZANU PF supporters to Harare. TR alleges that the ZANU PF supporters accused her of being an MDC activist. The assailants purportedly beat her all over with fists, twisted her arm, and kicked her in the abdomen. She reports that the assailants dispersed later when the police arrived and that she then drove to Kadoma to seek refuge. TR dislocated her arm and alleges that the youth militia stole her bag containing a passport, bankcards, medical aid card and Z$1 200 000, which had been set aside for rent and food for the displaced youths.

Full alphabetical list of reported deaths related to political violence 1 January to 31 May 2004 recorded indicating name, political affiliation, date of death, constituency and province.

TOTAL: 3	MDC – 2; UNKNOWN - 1

SURNAME	FIRST NAME (S)	POLITICAL AFFILIATION	DATE OF DEATH	CONSTITUENCY	PROVINCE
ChAmbarara	Shemi	UNKNOWN	8 FEBRUARY 2004	CHIMANIMANI	MANICALAND
Chigega	Alexander	MDC	4 JANUARY 2004	Shamva	MASHONALAND CENTRAL
Chinozvina	francis	mdc	28 March 2004	ZENGEZA	HARARE

Administrative Map of ZIMBABWE

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as the “Human Rights Forum”) is a coalition comprising 17 member organisations. It has been in existence since January 1998 when non-Governmental organisations working in the field of human rights joined together to provide legal and psychosocial assistance to the victims of the Food Riots of January 1998.

The Human Rights Forum has now expanded its objectives to assist victims of organised violence, using the following definition:

“Organised violence” means the inter-human infliction of significant avoidable pain and suffering by an organised group according to a declared or implied strategy and/or system of ideas and attitudes. It comprises any violent action, which is unacceptable by general human standards, and relates to the victims’ mental and physical well-being.”

The Human Rights Forum operates a Research and Documentation Unit and offers legal services through the Public Interest Unit of the Legal Resources Foundation (formerly the Legal Unit of the ZHRF.)

Core member organisations of the Human Rights Forum are:

Amani Trust

Amnesty International (Zimbabwe) (AI (Z))

Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP)

Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)

Human Rights Trust of Southern Africa (SAHRIT)

Legal Resources Foundation (LRF)

Transparency International (Zimbabwe) (TI (Z))

University of Zimbabwe Legal Aid and Advice Scheme (UZ (LAAS))

Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of the Offender (ZACRO)

Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR)

Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET)

Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)

Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP)

Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA)

Associate Members:

Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ)

Nonviolent Action and Strategies for Social Change (NOVASC)

The Human Rights Forum can be contacted through any member organisation or through:

The Administrator, P O Box 9077, Harare – email: admin@hrforum.co.zw

The Public Interest Unit, P O Box 9077, Harare – email: legal@hrforum.co.zw

The Research Unit, P O Box 9077, Harare – email: research@hrforum.co.zw

Address: 8th Floor Bluebridge North, Eastgate, Harare; Telephone: 250511 - Fax: 250494

The International Liaison Office, 33 Islington High Street, London N1 9LH – email: IntLO@hrforumzim.com

Telephone: +44 (0)20-7713.1123

Website: www.hrforumzim.com

Previous reports of the Human Rights Forum can be found on our website.

see Political Violence Report – April 2003; Political Violence Report – June 2003; Political Violence Report – July 2003; Political Violence Report – November 2003; Political Violence Report – February 2004; Political Violence Report – March 2004 and Political Violence Report – April 2004 all by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

section 21 (1), (2) of the Zimbabwean Constitution

Zimbabwe Presidential Election 9 to 11 March 2002: Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group by the Commonwealth Secretariat, March 2002.

Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum	Political Violence Report: June 2003

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Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum	Political Violence Report: May 2004

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Zambia

South Africa

Mozambique

Botswana

ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM

Primrose Matambanadzo

2004-07-31

User

Human Rights Research Unit