ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM

POLITICAL VIOLENCE REPORT

SEPTEMBER 2003

23 October 2003

A report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

OVERVIEW

ln September 2003, politically motivated violence was largely perpetrated in the follow up to the Urban Council Elections held on 30/31 August 2003. There were reports that civilians were victimised and intimidated, based on the victory of either the opposition MDC or the ruling ZANU PF in the Elections. For example, EM, DN, and TM, MDC supporters from Chitungwiza (HARARE PROVINCE) were reportedly assaulted by Zanu PF youths at their homes. The assailants were purportedly.celebrating the ZANU PF victory in the Urban Council Elections. They allegedly forced TM to chant the ZANU PF slogan and attacked the other two with clenched fists and booted feet. In Mutare Central (MANICALAND PROVINCE), Cecilia Gambe (former ZANU PF Councillor), asserts that Pamela, Fungai, Billiard, Gertrude Sithole, Fortune Chishakwe, John Manikai, James Manikai, Alice Manikai, and a Mrs Manikai of the opposition MDC stoned her home, injured her on the head and destroyed property worth about Z$600 000 following the victory of the opposition MDC in the Urban Council Elections. In Mutare Central, Cyril Nzero, MDC Councillor elect, claims that ZRP officers arrested him when he had gone to visit the nine MDC supporters who were arrested and detained by the police at Chisamba Police Station, on allegations of stoning the home of Cecilia Gambe.

Another violation that continues to be perpetrated is that of freedom of association/ expression. Political party supporters and private individuals have continued to victimise civilians in an effort to force them to desist from supporting political parties of their choice. In Marondera East/ West (MASHONALAND EAST), PS was purportedly kicked in the lower abdomen and face, and then had her suitcase, cash and some MDC membership forms confiscated by Isidore Kambiti and a group of Zanu (PF) supporters. She was waiting for transport at a bus stop. MT of Mbare (HARARE PROVINCE) alleges that ZANU PF supporters threatened him with death, assaulted him, and then displaced him from his home because he was supposed to testify in a case in which they had assaulted one Alfred Horomba. In the same area, ZANU PF supporters are said to have displaced FS because he supports the opposition MDC. AT, MDC polling agent for Mashonaland East Ward 11 in the August 2003 Urban Council Elections, fled from his home fearing for his life following threats from the ZANU PF supporters, to ‘deal with him accordingly’.

In Gutu North/ South (MASVINGO PROVINCE), it is reported that some CIO operatives took AR from his workplace to the police station, accusing him of hoarding cash and sabotaging the Zimbabwean economy. He claims that he was ordered to undress, chew his underwear, howl like a dog, and was then assaulted under the feet with baton sticks. The victim asserts that he was then driven and dumped at a place about 10km out of Gutu. In Mufakose (HARARE PROVINCE), SN claims that his neighbour, a soldier, burst into his house and accused him of ‘talking about the MDC’. He allegedly slapped SN three times across the face and then called upon a group of 6 policemen and 2 Zanu PF youths, whom he purports falsely accused him of insulting the President. The victim was arrested and taken to Machipisa Police Station where he was assaulted with baton sticks on his back, legs and head.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum condemns the pervasive levels of inter-party political violence that continue to be recorded. Inter-party violence, sustained by lack of political tolerance and at times encouraged by statements made by party officials, has been prevalent in Zimbabwe since early 2000. The Human Rights Forum considers it the duty of the respective political parties in Zimbabwe to restrain their supporters from perpetrating violence against persons who support divergent political parties or persons who chose to be apolitical.

Totals: 1 September 2003 – 30 September 2003

Cumulative Totals 1 January 2003 To 30 September 2003

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 Human Rights 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).

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

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

Budiriro

7 September 2003

BC claims that 3 ZANU PF supporters disembarked from a truck, kicked him with booted feet and then struck him with a broken bottle in the face when he went to a local service station wearing an MDC T-Shirt. When he fell down, the assailants reportedly drove off and one of them was later arrested after BC made a report to the police.

9 September 2003

EC alleges that ZANU PF supporters threatened to burn his house and that they later arrived at his home at night and poisoned his 2 dogs. He has since left his job and is looking for an alternative residence after they threatened him with death.

21 September 2003

SZ was reportedly assaulted in the chest with metal rods when he tried to intervene in an attack on a fellow MDC supporter. The incident occurred as SZ made his way home from an MDC rally in the area.

Chitungwiza

1 September 2003

EM alleges that a group of ZANU PF youths came to her home at around 4:00pm celebrating their party's victory in the Urban Council Elections that were held from 30 - 31 August 2003. The youths are said to have accused the victim of being an MDC activist and then assaulted her with clenched fists and booted feet. The youths then reportedly went on their way after the victim fell down.

ZANU PF youths who were celebrating the party's victory in the Urban Council Elections held on 30 and 31 August 2003 allegedly arrived at DN’s home around 2:00pm, slapped her on her left ear and then assaulted her on the neck and head, on accusations of supporting the opposition MDC.

2 September 2003

TM was sleeping at around 2:00am when a group of ZANU PF youths reportedly arrived at his house, drumming, singing and dancing to revolutionary songs. He purports that the assailants demanded to know the whereabouts of his elder brother, punched him in the face, and then ordered him to chant ZANU PF slogans. On confessing ignorance of the slogans, he asserts that he was booted in the chest and then punched in the face before the youths proceeded on their way with their celebrations.

LM, who is one month pregnant, alleges that she was in her house when ZANU PF youths singing ZANU PF revolutionary songs and playing drums arrived, pulled her outside and dragged her towards a tuck-shop where the youths were beating a number of people. The victim claims that she was assaulted with booted feet and clenched fists until she fell to the ground from exhaustion.

1 - 2 September 2003

JC purports that he was assaulted by a group of ZANU PF youths who were celebrating their victory in the council elections. The youths are reported to have gone to the victim’s home and assaulted him with clenched fists on his chest and slapped him in the face.

Mbare East/ West

1 September 2003

MT alleges that ZANU PF supporters assaulted and then displaced him from Mbare because he was supposed to testify in a case in which they assaulted one Alfred Horomba in the area. He alleges that he also received a number of death threats.

Mufakose

22 September 2003

SN claims that the soldier whom he stays next door to, burst into his house and accused him of ‘talking about the MDC’. He allegedly slapped him three times on the face. The victim fought back thus prompting the soldier to declare ‘zvapera’ (it’ s over) before leaving him. The victim asserts that the assailant returned with a group of 6 policemen and 2 ZANU PF youths who falsely accused him of insulting the President. The victim was arrested and taken to Machipisa Police Station where he was assaulted with baton sticks on his back, legs and head. He was later transferred to Harare Central Police Station and was eventually released on 24 September without any charges being preferred against him.

MANICALAND

Mutare Central

1 September 2003

∑ Cecilia Gambe (former ZANU PF councillor), asserts that Pamela, Fungai, Billiard, Gertrude Sithole, Fortune Chishakwe, John Manikai, James Manikai, Alice Manikai, and Mrs Manikai of the opposition MDC stoned her home, injured her on the head and destroyed property worth about Z$600 000. She reported the case to the police and the assailants were each remanded out of custody to 18 September 2003 on Z$5 000 bail. The incident follows the victory of the opposition MDC in the Urban Council Elections in the area.

Mutare Central/ North/ South

1 September 2003

∑ Cyril Nzero, MDC Councillor elect, claims that ZRP officers arrested him when he had gone to visit the nine MDC supporters (Pamela, Fungai, Billiard, Gertrude Sithole, Fortune Chishakwe, John Manikai, James Manikai, Alice Manikai, and Mrs Manikai), who were arrested and detained by the police at Chisamba Police Station. He was remanded in custody to 18 September 2003, after which he and the other nine were released on Z$5 000 bail each.

MASHONALAND EAST

Marondera East/ West

1 September 2003

It is reported that PS was attacked by a group of ZANU PF supporters at around 5:00pm while waiting for transport to Harare. Isidore Kambiti, a ZANU PF supporter, allegedly held her while a colleague of his hit her on the neck from behind. She fell down, was kicked on her lower abdomen and face, and then had her suitcase, cash and some MDC membership forms confiscated. She reportedly bled heavily from the injuries sustained and that the attackers ran off when they realized that she was injured.

ZANU PF supporters reportedly displaced MT and FS because they support the opposition MDC. The incident followed the August 2003 Urban Council Elections.

AT, an MDC supporter from Cherotombo, fled from home after he was informed that ZANU PF supporters were allegedly threatening to ‘deal with him accordingly’. AT was the MDC polling agent for Mashonaland East Ward 11 in the August 2003 Urban Council Elections.

HM, an MDC supporter was reportedly displaced because of political violence in Marondera following the Urban Council Elections. He can no longer stay in Marondera due to the political environment.

6 September 2003

JC asserts that she was displaced by ZANU PF supporters in Marondera on suspicion that she supported the opposition MDC during the Urban Council Elections. She claims that she can no-longer stay in Marondera due to the political unrest.

MASHONALAND WEST

Chegutu

1 September 2003

Francis Dhlakama (MDC Executive Mayor), claims that Phineas Mariyapera (ZANU PF Deputy Mayor) barred him from entering his offices at the Town House, despite a High Court Order compelling them to allow him to resume his duties. Dhlakama claims that the perpetrators told him to stay at home until they had decided on his fate, or until further notice.

Mhondoro

September 2003

∑ Nelson Ndarasika of Stonehurst Farm reportedly sustained severe bruises on the face, body and a bloodied eye after the resettled farm labourers ambushed him, allegedly on the instruction of their white employer. He purports that he was attacked because he is seen as a threat to the farmers’ interests.

1 September 2003

A group of ZANU PF supporters reportedly knocked on PM’ s door at around 9:00pm and identified themselves as police officers. When the victim opened the door for them, they allegedly assaulted her with metal and wooden whips on the legs, buttocks and upper body. When PM lost consciousness, the attackers reportedly proceeded to assault her mother.

SM of Norton claims that he was brutally assaulted by ZANU PF supporters. He and others had campaigned for the MDC Ward 7 Candidate in the area. He sustained fractures of both hands.

JB, Councillor elect for one of the Wards in Norton, was purportedly victimised by ZANU PF supporters following his victory in the Urban Council Elections. He claims that his home was also destroyed in a fire that was started by the assailants.

Zvimba North

September 2003

∑ Mike Moyo (ZNLWVA National Secretary) purports that Edward Chindori – Chininga, Minister of Mines and Mining Development, brought people from farms surrounding Nkodzwi Farm in Banket and ordered them to intimidate him and the farm workers. Moyo earlier obtained a High Court Order barring the Minister from his premises. The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Land Resettlement allocated him the farm. Chininga already has two farms in Mazowe.

MASHONALAND CENTRAL

Bindura

17 September 2003

ZANU PF youths reportedly occupied NK’s home and refused to leave, alleging that she had no claim over the land and the house. They allegedly assaulted her and pulled on one of her fingers, which she claims is now swollen. She managed her escape after a war veteran reportedly ordered the youths to stop assaulting her.

Shamva

21 September 2003

CM, an MDC supporter, claims that she was chased away from home by the Chief (ZANU PF member) because she supports the opposition MDC. She asserts that ZANU PF youths also assaulted her and severely injured one of her children.

MASVINGO

Masvingo North/ South/ Central

1 September 2003

ES was reportedly dismissed and displaced from Great Zimbabwe University on accusations of having instigated the students to engage in opposition party politics as well as political violence in the run-up to the Urban Council Elections.

Gutu North/ South

2 September 2003

It is reported that some CIO operatives approached AR at his workplace (a bank), took him to the police station around 3:45pm and then interrogated him about the long queues at his workplace. The victim told them that it was because there was a cash shortage. He alleges that they instead accused him of hoarding cash and of sabotaging the Zimbabwean economy. He asserts that assailants ordered him to undress, chew on his underwear, howl like a dog, and then assaulted him under the feet with baton sticks while he lay on his stomach with his legs raised. The victim asserts that he was then driven to a destination about 10km out of Gutu and dumped there. The CIO agents reportedly threatened to return the following morning for further interrogation. AR fled to Harare as he fears for his and his family's life.

MIDLANDS

Gweru Urban

1 September 2003

RC and MM, students at Midlands State University, claim that they were indefinitely suspended from the institution on allegations that they are actively involved in opposition party politics. MM purports that he endured constant raids and harassment from the state agents and that he was forced to flee for security reasons. RC purports that the CIO operatives are after him as they suspect that he supported the MDC campaigns in the run up to the Urban Council Elections.

Full alphabetical list of reported deaths related to political violence 1 January to 30 September 2003 recorded indicating political affiliation, date of death, province and constituency.

TOTAL - 9: MDC - 5; ZANU PF – 2; UNKNOWN - 2

SURNAME	FIRST NAME (S)	POLITICAL AFFILIATION	DATE OF DEATH	CONSTITUENCY	PROVINCE
ALFONSO	Plaxedes	UNKNOWN	10/ 6/ 2003	Dzivaresekwa	Harare
KAGURU	Tichaona	MDC	2/ 6/ 2003	Mbare East/ West	Harare
KOMBO	Samson, Shawano	MDC	20/ 1/ 2003	Makoni East	Manicaland
MACHIRIDZA	Richard, Tonderai	MDC	18/4/2003	Kuwadzana	Harare
MANGWIRO	Tonderai	ZANU PF	20/ 1/ 2003	Kuwadzana	Harare

MATINYARARE	David	MDC	1/ 5/ 2003	Mufakose	Harare

NYADONGO	Amon	UNKNOWN	2/6/2003	Mbare West	Harare

SHAMHU	Action	UNKNOWN	2/8/2003	Kuwadzana	Harare

TONERA	Stephen	MDC	20/ 3/ 2003	Seke	Mashonaland East

Administrative Map of ZIMBABWE

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as the “Human Rights Forum”) is a coalition comprising 16 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 Member:

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.

Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum	Political Violence Report: June 2003

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Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum	Political Violence Report: September 2003

Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum	Political Violence Report: September 2003

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ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM

Primrose Matambanadzo

2003-11-05

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Human Rights Research Unit