june 2004 zimbabwe peace project · in zimbabwe, june usually signals winter and hence coldness....
TRANSCRIPT
In Zimbabwe, June usually signals
winter and hence coldness. The politi-
cal situation however is signifying just
the opposite. The political tempera-
tures are heating up. This is mainly
because the 2005 parliamentary elec-
tions are just around the corner. Rallies
have began in earnest, with the ZANU
PF ones open and the opposition ones
covert. ZANU PF, which has to run its
own elections first things first as it
chooses its parliamentary candidates is
having the time of its life. With all the
laws (present ones and others still to
come) seemingly protecting them the
Monthly Monitoring Report
June 2004 ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT
The Executive Summary
political turf is just what any party can
pray for. The likely candidates are thus
taking no prisoners as they currently
try to outdo each other. That only
means one thing: No sympathy for
those who dare not tore their lines. The
voiceless, who are also the majority,
are suffering as a result, a thing aptly
portrayed in the following reports.
The orgy of violence can only accel-
erate. The usual suspects are beginning
to come out from the given trend.
These among others include Non Gov-
ernmental Organizations (N.G.Os)
especially those dealing with human
rights abuses, some Churches, those
individuals perceived to always talk
negatively against the government as
well as those who fail to fulfill the
ruling parties‟ endless wishes. The
usual suspects have their “once-upon-a
-time‟ cases taken time and time again
from the „political archives‟ and recy-
cled to give relevance to what the pow-
ers that be will want for that moment.
Needless say these groups are under
constant attack. It is even worse for
those who are openly known to be
leaders or followers of certain political
parties. The police meanwhile seem
CO NT E NT S
Executive Summary 1
Chart on Human 1
Cumulative Figures 2
Methodology 3
NORTHERN RE-
Mashonaland East 3
Mashonaland West 4
Mashonaland Central 5
Manicaland 7
SOUTHERN RE-
Midlands 10
Matabeleland North 12
Matabeleland South 13
Bulawayo 14
Masvingo 15
Figure 1: Comparison chart showing the human rights violations cases re-
ceived from the Northern and Southern region during June 2004.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Figure 2: Cumulative Chart of Cases of Human Rights Abuse
2
lence has never been a solution. Fam-
ily feuds have also started to crop up
again, leading to disenchantment for
any hopeful Zimbabwean. Political
differences were there is wife versus
husband, brother on brother among
others, are noted in these reports. Beat-
ings, raping and arsons seem to be so
entrenched in us that there are becom-
ing normal. Farm evictions also seem
to continue as these reports portray.
Civil servants are again bearing the
brunt of working for the government
as they get harassments now and
again. One can always have an aura
that this is only the beginning; the
worst is yet to come. Zimbabwe de-
serves better and deserves it now.
The different forms of human rights
violations have been captured by ZPP
for June 2004. These are as portrayed
hapless and helpless. There are simply
acting confused or just confusing in
some instances.
The youths, once a mirror of the future
(a terrifying future indeed!) have got
even wilder. The ZANU PF youths,
taking a cue from some war veterans
have, as these reports show turned the
law unto themselves. It has become
open season as there not only fail to
separate the forest from the trees and
hence assault anyone they feel like
assaulting willy nilly. The youths have
become ruthless. The reports chronicle
gruesome things which have no place
in a democracy. Other assaults have
even led to death! The MDC cannot be
spared either as some of its supporters
have also started going on what they
are terming „retaliations‟. This is an-
other sad chapter in Zimbabwe as vio-
on the following cumulative chart.
There have been put in percentages.
The report divides Zimbabwe into two
regions for convenience purposes.
These are the Northern and the South-
ern Regions. The Northern region
comprises of the following provinces:
Harare, Mashonaland West, Masho-
naland Central, Mashonaland East and
Manicaland. The Southern Region has
Bulawayo, Matebeleland South, Mate-
beleland North, Midlands and Mas-
vingo.
METHODOLOGY This report is based on reports from
ZPP long-term community-based pri-
mary peace monitors who observe,
monitor and record cases of human
rights violations in the constituencies
they reside. ZPP deploys a total of 240
community-based primary peace
monitors (two per each of the 120
electoral constituencies of Zimbabwe).
These monitors reside in the constituen-
cies they monitor. The monitors compile
reports that are handed over to ZPP pro-
vincial coordinators who head ZPP of-
fices in the ten administrative provinces
of Zimbabwe. After receiving and verify-
ing reports from the monitors, the pro-
Mashonaland East
Figure 3: Bar Graph of cases of Human Rights abuse reported in Masho-
naland East
Marondera
13 June 2004
B.M. an MDC member was assaulted
by two ZANU PF youths G.C. and
N.G. at Mangoro Primary School for
wearing an MDC T/shirt. The T-shirt
was torn by the youths.
18 June 2004
E.M. an MDC member was assaulted
by two ZANU PF youths A.P and P
after being found with an MDC card at
Bango village.
Goromonzi
4 June 2004
R.M. an MDC member was assaulted
by three ZANU PF youths R.C, K.F.
and Z.M. at Murape Township for
telling people what happened at Kon-
dozi farm where he was once an em-
ployee.
Hwedza
6 June 2004
J.C. was harassed and had his money
taken away by two ZANU PF youths
N.M. and P.H. for having a Zimrights
membership card at Hwedza Growth
Point.
11 June 2004
D.C. an MDC member was intimi-
dated by suspected ZANU PF youths
who wrote him a letter sprinkled with
suspected blood warning him on dar-
ing to be MDC towards the 2005 elec-
tions.
20 June 2004
J.T. and N.G. were intimidated by
three ZANU PF youths T.N, V.C and
T.B at Rambanepasi Township for
disembarking from a car belonging to
an MDC member.
Marondera East
1 June 2004
T.J.M and his family were displaced
by six ZANU PF youths led by E.K
for allegedly belonging to the MDC.
3 June 2004
K.K. an MDC member was harassed
and intimidated by a war veteran M.
and councillor M. for getting food aid
from Zimbabwe Community Develop-
ment Trust (ZCDT) at Alexander
farm.
5 June 2004
M. and his family were removed from
Dorset farm by Councillor J. of ZANU
PF for allegedly being MDC members.
9 June 2004
Chiparahwe farm workers were forced
by two ZANU PF youths to demon-
strate against Roy Bennett in Maron-
dera town.
19 June 2004
A.J. was harassed by three ZANU PF
youths T.M, W.M. and S.C. for talk-
3
NORTHERN REGION
vincial coordinators compile provin-
cial monthly monitoring reports that
are used to come up with this report-
the ZPP monthly monitoring report.
NORTHERN REGION ing to Mr. S, a well known MDC sup-
porter, at Cherutombo Township.
M.C. was harassed by ZANU PF sup-
porters led by Air Marshall Perence
Shiri for not inviting white farmers to
a ruling party meeting.
23 June 2004
S.S. a ZANU PF member was as-
saulted by other ruling party members
who included M. and S.K. for alleg-
edly giving MDC members ZANU PF
membership cards for free.
Marondera West
18 May 2004
R.Z. and C.M. both MDC members
were assaulted by three ZANU PF
members S.C, L.M. and G.Z. at Mu-
jerimani Shopping Centre for alleg-
edly denouncing the government.
Mudzi
5 June 2004
T.K. and T.D. both of ZANU PF party
were beaten by MDC youths T.K, P.M
and J.T. for allegedly assaulting MDC
supporters.
Murehwa North
5 June 2004
M.C, M.M, I. M and P.M. of the
MDC party were harassed and intimi-
dated by two ZANU PF youths N.K.
and O.M. for failing to produce ZANU
PF membership cards at Muchinjike
Township.
Murewa South
5 June 2004
M.M. had his car tyres inflated by
eights ZANU PF youths led by M.K.
at Chitate Township for refusing to
give the youths a lift.
10 June 2004
G.M. an MDC member was assaulted
by three ZANU PF youths T, M and H
for not attending ZANU PF meetings.
Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe
14 June 2004
C.M. a headmaster was harassed by
three ZANU PF youths I.D, P.M. and
D.N. at Borera Primary School for
sending children back home to collect
School fees.
23 June 2004
E.M. was displaced from his farm to
make way for Border Gezi youths who
wanted to settle on the same farm.
Kadoma East
4
Mashonaland West
Figure 4: Bar Graph of cases of Human Rights abuse reported in Masho-
naland West
reported to the police.
19 June 2004
S.M. (18), R.M.(21), E.C. (25) and J.N.
(30) of the MDC were assaulted by
ZANU PF youths for holding an MDC
meeting at Ertina farm.
Mhondoro
3 June 2004
E.M. (32) a teacher at Chipashu School
in Mhondoro was assaulted by ruling
party youths for allegedly being an
3 June 2004
Mrs. P (34) was assaulted while Mr. M
(36) was harassed by suspected ZANU
PF youths for allegedly having an af-
fair, which the youths condemned as an
unbecoming behaviour which tarnishes
the image of their party.
7 June 2004
Suspected ZANU PF youths assaulted
and threatened T.C. (24) and P.S. (27)
of the MDC for supporting the opposi-
tion MDC party. The case was not
MDC activist.
13 June 2004
R.M. (40) was drinking beer with his
friends talking about the fate of Mr.
M. who was previously taken to a base
and assaulted when unidentified peo-
ple arrived and attacked R.M. accus-
ing him of being a ruling party sup-
porter. R.M. later died in his house
and no report was made to the police.
21 June 2004
Teachers were forced to attend a meet-
ing at Magaya Shopping Center,
where Mr. D. was summoned to an
office and assaulted. He was accused
of supporting the MDC. The victim
reported the case to the police.
Mrs. T (40) of ZANU PF force-
marched people to a meeting at Ngoni
Township. At this meeting M (29)
and M (31) of the MDC were as-
saulted for belonging to the opposition
party.
Hurungwe East
2 June 2004
Mr. M (54) was denied access to land
by some suspected ruling party activ-
ists for allegedly being an MDC sup-
porter. When the victim reported the
case to the District Administrator he
was told to go back to his piece of
land but the police allegedly refused to
accompany him back to his piece of
land.
3 June 2004
TM (23) of the MDC was badly in-
jured by JB (40) of ZNU PF for alleg-
edly moving around with a well
known MDC activist, H. The victim
was hospitalized.
5 June 2004
GM (39) and SM (33) of ZANU PF
were at a funeral when they were iden-
tified as MDC activists and ordered to
leave the place When they refused to
leave they were assaulted. No arrests
were made as the police refused to
interfere in such political issues.
19 June 2004
EM (35) was assaulted with a walking
stick by GM (39) who accused the
victim of being an MDC member be-
cause he was driving a red car and was
coming from Harare. E.M.was res-
cued by members of the public who
started throwing stones at G.M. When
the police arrived at the scene they
accused the public of intervening
unnecessarily.
Zvimba South
5 June 2004
JM (28) is living in fear after being
interrogated and harassed by PG (30),
GM (31), AG (55), CT (25), MM (25)
and TM (23) for buying a tractor from
a white farmer.
14 June 2004
JK (30) was harassed by AT (32), JC
(47) and JM (45) for having visitors
from Harare whom the perpetrators
perceived to be MDC supporters.
Hurungwe West
5 June 2004
GN (33) was threatened with unspeci-
fied action by a ZANU PF member
TK (36) for conducting civic educa-
tion within his community.
NORTHERN REGION
5
Mashonaland Central
Figure 5: Bar Graph of cases of Human Rights abuse reported in Masho-
naland Central
NORTHERN REGION
Bindura
10 June 2004
An MDC activist W.H. was verbally
harassed and intimidated by P.S, a for-
mer MDC activist turned ZANU PF
supporter who was in the company of
three other ZANU PF youths. P.S. and
his accomplices wanted W.H. to pub-
licly renounce his MDC membership.
14 June 2004
O.Z. of Chiwaridzo was verbally har-
assed by a group of suspected ZANU
PF supporters led by one W.M. The
group accused O.Z. of being treacherous
because he does not avail himself at
ZANU PF meetings organized in the
area.
15 June 2004
T.N. and D.M. forced E.M. to remove
the Zimcet T-shirt she had on and put
on a ZANU PF one instead.
18 June 2004
A National Constitutional Assembly
(N.C.A) Office Assistant, D.K. felt
intimidated when a local ZANU PF
functionary only identified as P. visited
her office to quiz her on the activities of
the NCA and other NGOs in the prov-
ince.
20 June 2004
Unknown ZANU PF supporters as-
saulted J.B. and D.H. at Kitsiyatota Bar
accusing them of being MDC activists.
Meanwhile on the same day C.C. of
Chiwaridzo suffered harassment and
intimidation at the hands of four ZANU
PF activists led by one B.C. He was
forced to accept the post of ZANU PF
ward secretary for ward 6. This was
done in order to dissuade him from
participating in suspected MDC activi-
ties.
Guruve South
1 June 2004
A group of ZANU PF supporters‟ petrol
bombed a garage belonging to B.C the
MDC vice-chairperson for Mashonaland
Central province following an MDC
rally that was held at the same premises
in Mvurwi.
18 June 2004
A school teacher at Nyamhondoro Sec-
ondary School in Guruve, K. was
chased away from his school by a group
of ZANU PF youths who accused him
of being an MDC activist. The incident
occurred allegedly at the instigation of
the school secretary, after the victim
unearthed a financial scum implicating
the school secretary.
24 June 2004
A headmaster at Nyamhondoro Secon-
dary School M. was assaulted by a
group of ZANU PF supporters led by
D.Z. The gang accused M of being an
MDC sympathizer. The victim has
since been redeployed to Mhokwe
School in Lower Guruve.
Mt Darwin South
6 June 2004
G.C. a war veteran and ZANU PF func-
tionary led a group of four people to
assault K.D of the MDC for allegedly
proposing love to G.D‟s daughter. The
incident occurred at a ZANU PF rally
held at Kadoma Store.
7 June 2004
In Chirombo village, B.Z. was assaulted
by a group of ZANU PF youths under
the command of B.C. on allegations of
bewitching to death youngsters in the
area. The group took B.Z. to Dotito
Police Station where the Officer-in-
Charge further assaulted the victim.
10 June 2004
M.T. was hurled before a ZANU PF
meeting convened at Bveke Business
Centre where it was planned to assault
him for utterances he had supposedly
made against the party. The planned
assault did not materialize after the
intervention of other party members.
13 June 2004
G.M. of the MDC was kidnapped
and assaulted by a group of ZANU
PF supporters in the command of
A.K. for allegedly making a negative
comment about the government.
The victim was further assaulted at
Dotito Police Station by the officer-
in-charge.
17 June 2004
W.K. was assaulted at Nyamaswau
School grounds by Mabhutsu a
ZANU PF supporter on allegations
of being an MDC supporter. W.K.
had attempted to participate in a
football gala sponsored by Saviour
Kasukuwere, the local MP.
21 June
C.C. an MDC member was kid-
napped and assaulted at Mutunga-
gore Growth Point by S.G. and C
who were in the company of four
ZANU PF youths. They accused
C.C. of showing ingratitude to the
ruling party after having benefited in
the land redistribution exercise. The
group was incensed by the victim‟s
continued support of the opposition
MDC.
Mt Darwin North
10 June 2004
At Chironga Business Centre, J.C.
was assaulted by R.B, C.K, P.D. and
B.C. for sympathizing with the de-
feated opposition parties in Malawi.
The four charged that sympathizing
with foreign opposition parties was
tantamount to expressing support for
the local opposition party.
15 June 2004
J.K. a war veteran led a group of 17
ZANU PF supporters in the assault
of E.K. of the MDC for having sold
unspecified number of cotton bales
to ERAZINA, a company the perpe-
trators accused of being MDC con-
trolled.
6
NORTHERN REGION
12 June 2004
Mr. M, a mathematics teacher at
Muzokomba School was assaulted,
suspended from teaching and chased
out of his school house by the
School Development Committee
after being found with an MDC
membership card. The teacher was
also threatened with death if found
within the area. The victim has
since left the area.
19 June 2004
C.B. a ZANU PF activist was as-
saulted by an MDC member called
D.C. at a belated Independence cele-
brations party after some ZANU PF
top officials criticized the MDC.
This angered the assailant who
vented his anger on the victim.
22 June 2004
L.P. an MDC supporter was kid-
napped and severely assaulted by
Z.G, M.C and three other ZANU PF
activists after attending a funeral
service of a ZANU PF activist at
MDC party membership cards. They
were denied food and ordered to stop
panning for gold in the area.
Generally, the political situation in the
province remains tense and unpredict-
able as the two main rival political par-
ties prepare for their primary elections.
During the period under review political
violence that manifested itself in the
form of assaults, victimization, threats
and displacements remained high.
Buhera South
12 June 2004
C.S., aged 19 an advanced level student
at Muzokomba Secondary School was
thrown out of school by the School De-
velopment Committee after she and
other students protested against the sus-
pension of their mathematics teacher
Mr. M who was accused by the school
authorities of holding an MDC member-
ship card. C.S. who was also the
headgirl was deemed to be an MDC
youths for showing solidarity with her
teacher. She was kidnapped and interro-
gated by ZANU PF youths.
21 June 2004
At Pachanza Growth Point, K.K. of
ZANU PF raped N.N. aged 12. He
paid two herds of cattle to the girl‟s
parents and the case was rested. The
perpetrator is the ZANU PF chair-
person in the area.
L.M. of the MDC was assaulted by
ZANU PF youth members T.C, P.D,
W.K and C.N. for wearing an N.C.A
T-shirt. The incident occurred at
Bveke police post.
Shamva
S.T. and Z.U. (Church Elder and
Pastor respectively) were harassed
and threatened with unspecified ac-
tion by a group of ZANU PF support-
ers led by A.M.M. at Batanai Farming
Project. The duo was accused of
having failed to attend and participate
in the forced removal of the white
owner of Michael Farm.
9 June 2004
A faith healer, S.M. was verbally
harassed and threatened by B.M,
T.M. and P.T. of ZANU PF at Mhon-
doro Mine Panning site for allegedly
having failed to register with the local
party leadership upon his arrival from
Mutoko (where he was previously
resident). They thus accused the
victim of being an MDC sympathizer.
19 June 2004
T.B. of Kasimbwi Village in Ma-
dziwa Communal lands was verbally
harassed and threatened by Chief M.
and S.K.Z of ZANU PF for having
bought a piece of land without the
knowledge and consent of the two.
The victim was also publicly accused
of having been an active member of
the Rhodesian Front.
29 June
In Chishapa Communal lands L.K.
and F.M. of the MDC were kid-
napped and interrogated by M.K.J,
D.K. and S.M. of ZANU PF. The
two were ordered to surrender their
7
Figure 6: Bar Graph of cases of Human Rights abuse reported in Manica-
land
Manicaland
NORTHERN REGION Q.P. all of ZANU PF who reside at
Zendera village on the grounds that
he defected from ZANU PF to join
the United Parties while associating
with the MDC as well.
24 June 2004
E.M. of Mavhezha village was
assaulted by M.K. and M.C. of
ZANU PF because her husband had
gone to Rusape to attend an MDC
meeting. She reported the matter to
Nyazura police but no action has
been taken so far.
Mutare North
C.M, R.M. and T.M. suspected
MDC supporters were severely
assaulted by D.M, R.N, A.Z and
M.M. who are all ZANU PF activ-
ists at based at Dangarembwa vil-
lage. This was because the victim
had refused to render a hosepipe to
R.N. for use in his garden. R.N.
together with his colleagues labeled
the victims MDC supporters who
deserve whatever befalls them..
15 June 2004
At Domboratinhira, some war vet-
erans identified as Gabarinocheka,
Rondozai and Samson assaulted
W.M, D.N. and C.C. It is alleged
that the war veterans are going
round the village stealing house-
hold property from suspected MDC
supporters. They also dug graves at
suspected MDC sympathizers‟
homesteads to intimidate them into
leaving the area.
19 June 2004
Three ZANU PF female youths
C.Z, M.M. and S.M. were assaulted
by three MDC activists T.B, G.S.
and T.M. The perpetrators claimed
that this was in revenge for the
ZANU PF led violent activities in
the area.
25 June 2004
Farm workers at Riverside farm
among them E.S, R.M, J.N, J.M.
and others were assaulted, harassed
cause their church belongs to „Lovemore
Madhuku‟ (the National Constitutional
Assembly - N.C.A.- Chairperson). Church
members were also threatened with follow
-ups to their homes for unspecified action.
11 June 2004
M.B. of Bangara village was manhandled
by some unidentified ZANU PF activists
who chased her from her stall where she
was selling sweet potatoes. She was told to
go and sell them in Britain. M.B. and her
cousin ran away leaving their wares at the
market.
Makoni East
S.N, an MDC activist was assaulted by
G.N. a ZANU PF activist after he brought
some opaque beer into a church service.
He is alleged to have called out that the
youth congregation was in-fact a ZANU
PF gathering since it was being facilitated
by G.N, a well known ZANU PF youth.
30 June 2004
J.K. a ZANU PF V.I.D.C.O. Chairperson
for Nyabadza Village called for a meeting
at Nyabadza homestead. He threatened
village heads and other villagers that fail-
ure to attend would result in thorough
beatings which would lead to loss of teeth.
Makoni West
11 June 2004
E.K. an MDC supporter was assaulted by
N.C.B. a ZANU PF activist because the
victim supported the MDC. The victim
reported the assault to the local headman
Dahwa, who reprimanded the two for ever
daring to fight again in his domain.
14 June 2004
P.C. a presumed MDC supporter was as-
saulted by A.D. and other ZANU PF sup-
porters at Mutungagore Business Center
because the perpetrators alleged that the
victim was getting sponsorship from the
MDC.
19 June 2004
K.G. a suspected United Parties member
was severely beaten by D.M, E.M. and
Chamutsa village. The victim sus-
tained a swollen face.
Chipinge North
P.C. an MDC supporter was assaulted
by C. and other ZANU PF youths at
Marozva village for attending an MDC
rally the previous day at Chako. After
being assaulted the victim was denied
medical attention at Mt. Selinda hospi-
tal after the staff there had been threat-
ened by Vhutina and other ZANU PF
members in the area.
13 June 2004
C. a ZANU PF activist infamous in
Marozva village for perpetrating vio-
lence against opposition party support-
ers was thoroughly beaten by P.C, S.
and other MDC youths. The victim
sustained several injuries.
26 June 2004
R.D. and her two children were as-
saulted and evicted by B.S. her ex-
husband together with five other
ZANU PF members. Her house was
also burnt down because the victim had
refused to defect to ZANU PF from the
MDC like her ex- husband.
31 June 2004
V, C. and other ZANU PF youths as-
saulted MDC members who had at-
tended a meeting at Chako Business
Centre. They threatened to hunt down
others who had also attended the rally.
Chipinge South
J.M.M. of Chisumbanje was assaulted
by some ZANU PF activists who in-
cluded L.M. and M.K. as he drank beer
at Checheche growth point. The victim
was labeled an MDC supporter. The
assailants were allegedly sent by E.P. a
local businessman in the area.
8 June 2004
E.P, T.M. and M unceremoniously
dispersed people at the annual congress
of the United Church of Christ (UCCZ)
that was being held at Chibuwe. E.P.
and other ZANU PF activists instructed
the church members to disperse be-
8
NORTHERN REGION and evicted from the farm by some war
veterans namely S, T.M, E.K .and L.M.
because their former employer Spero-
landos allegedly killed a war veteran.
Almost all the workers are now dis-
placed and staying refugee style at an
adjacent farm.
Mutare South
7 June 2004
A Constable S. of Mutare Rural camp
spate at T.M. an MDC activist after
T.M. had refused to divulge the infor-
mation the constable wanted. Consta-
ble S. also harassed the victim and
threatened to set the dreaded ZANU PF
militia on him.
20 June 2004
C.K. a ZANU PF youth graduate from
Gwanda was threatened and harassed
by C, a fellow ZANU PF district youth
chairman in Zimunya township for
associating with perceived MDC sup-
porters. The victim was also told that
he would not receive his National
Youth Service certificate.
23 June 2004
The freedom to associate and express
oneself continues to be denied to many
in Mutare South as shown by the re-
moval of Daiton Zengeni and Mrs.
Zengeni from their posts as ZANU PF
Coordinator and vice-chairlady respec-
tively on grounds that the two had sup-
ported Madiro‟s political rival
Kanzwana during the primary elec-
tions. The two have also been further
threatened with unspecified action.
Chimanimani
14 June 2004
S.K and B.K. of Chimanimani were
brutally assaulted by a group of ZANU
PF war veterans and youths who in-
cluded among others T.C, B.M, M. and
K. The victims had gone to the war
veterans in the town in order to deliver
a court order for them to vacate the
offices. Instead of vacating they
pounced on the victims whom they
severely assaulted using stones, iron
9
bars, clenched fists and other weapons.
SOUTHERN REGION
10
5 June 2004
J P. an MDC activist was verbally har-
assed by ZANU PF youths for not at-
tending their meetings and failing to
produce a ZANU PF party card.
12 June 2004
M.C a ZANU PF activist was assaulted
by MDC youths for allegedly support-
ing ZANU PF‟s interests. The youths
were later arrested.
19 June 2004
Two MDC supporters were assaulted by
ZANU PF supporters for wearing MDC
T/Shirts. The MDC supporters were
tortured for more than two hours and
were later released after paying a fine.
Gweru Urban
6 June 2004
MDC offices were raided by the police
after the party had just finished its Dis-
trict meeting. L M. the Provincial
Chairperson was arrested in the process
but later released without any charges
laid on him.
19 June 2004
L M. an MDC Shurugwi District candi-
date was assaulted by seven ZANU
PF youths when she was on a famili-
arization tour of Shurugwi.
22 June 2004
D. N. was assaulted by ZANU PF
youths for allegedly being an MDC
supporter.
Gweru Rural
6 June 2004
J. K. of Plot 37 Matobo Road was
approached by self confessed assail-
ants who threatened him with death if
he continued supporting the opposi-
tion MDC party. The perpetrators
were suspected to be ZANU PF sup-
porters.
7 June 2004
E .M. and D. were threatened with
death by ZANU PF supporters on
allegations that they supported the
MDC party and also for not attending
ZANU PF routine meetings
8 June 2004
J N. had his name struck off the Food
for Work Programme. When he com-
plained he was harassed verbally. He
was told to go and get help from the
opposition MDC party.
9 June 2004
D.M. a local resident was assaulted
by some MDC activists who accused
D. of spying for ZANU PF. D. had
passed by while an MDC meeting
was in progress.
12 June 2004
L.C. of farm 14 Vungu Resettlement
was threatened with unspecified ac-
tion. He was accused of working
hand in glove with the opposition .He
was warned that he would be expelled
form the resettlement by three ZANU
PF supporters who included a war
veteran.
14 June 2004
B. C. a Zanu PF supporter was as-
saulted by fellow party members for
allegedly refusing to participate in the
demonstration against Roy Bennett‟s
actions in parliament. The demon-
stration took place in Gweru.
18 June 2004
L J. a suspected MDC supporter was
assaulted by D. S. and L M. both
suspected ZANU PF supporters for
being two faced since he was found in
possession of two membership cards
for both ZANU PF and the MDC.
Kwekwe
2 June 2004
Three suspected MDC youths were
assaulted by suspected ZANU PF
youths over a misunderstanding. The
ZANUPF youths ran to the ZANU PF
offices for reinforcement and returned
in full force assaulting the MDC
youths.
16 June 2004
A suspected MDC sympathizer was
assaulted by ZANU PF members and
forced to attend all ZANU PF meet-
ings to be held from then onwards in
the area.
19 June 2004
C. a suspected MDC member was
approached by two ZANU PF mem-
Midlands
Figure 8: Graph showing the types and levels of violence reported from
Midlands
Midlands Province
0
2 2
10
2 3
01
0
3 2
0
5
10
15
20
25
Tortu
re
Assau
llt
Mur
der
Rape/S
exual
Har
as...
Intim
idat
ion/
Haras
smen
t
Displ
acem
ent
MIP
Tearg
as
Theft/
Lootin
g
Kidna
pping
Type of cases
To
tals
Jun-04
SOUTHERN REGION
bers who forced him to produce his
membership card. When the victim
failed to produce the card he was then
forced to buy a ZANU PF card.
Silobela
11 June 2004
N.‟s shop was burnt after she had
some misunderstandings with her
employer who suspected her of being
a member of the opposition MDC
party as earlier during the same day
two MDC members had visited her
inviting her for a meeting.
12 June 2004
P. and D. who are MDC activists
were assaulted for not joining a dem-
onstration organized by members of
the ZANU PF party against the rent
increases. The two activists had re-
mained at their homes while others
had obliged to go and demonstrate.
18 June 2004
E. N. was wearing an NCA T/shirt
when he was approached by M. a war
veteran and other ZANU PF youths
who instantly demanded to know why
he was wearing the T/shirt. He was
then verbally harassed and later on
assaulted.
19 June 2004
A. and J. N. were assaulted by Z. A.
a ZANU PF Chairperson while on
their way home from the GMB. A.
was accused of falling in love with a
traitor.
26 June 2004
MDC youths were threatened by
ZANU PF youths who restrained
them from holding their meeting. The
ZANU PF youths threatened them
with beatings if they went ahead with
their scheduled meeting.
27 June 2004
P. S. a Zimbabwe Congress Of
Trade Union (ZCTU) member was
fired from his work place at ZISCO
Steel because of his affiliation with
11
the Trade union. The trade union is
accused of having links with the oppo-
sition party MDC.
On the same date, but in a different
incident, it was reported that MDC
youths who were selling their party
cards and singing and chanting MDC
songs, were kidnapped and harassed.
They were told to sing and chant
ZANU PF songs, but they refused and
for that reason they were assaulted.
Gokwe Centre
6 June 2004
J. K. a suspected MDC supporter and
an aspiring contestant in the forthcom-
ing parliamentary election on an MDC
ticket for the Gokwe Central post, was
threatened with unknown action if he
did not withdraw his interest in the
post. The victim received a letter ad-
vising him to withdraw his candidature
13 June 2004
M.S. a soldier was kidnapped, hand-
cuffed and force matched to the police
base at Nyampakwe after being ac-
cused of not abiding by the rules of
the kraal head who was installed by
ZANU PF. ZANU PF youths led this
power demonstration.
16 June 2004
C. G. was assaulted by a well know
ZANU PF member and tout together
with his fellow ZANU PF youth gang.
He was accused of bringing to Gokwe
buses which belong to the MDC. He
was left for dead.
27 June 2004
C. and T. both ZANU PF youths
were assaulted by a group of ZANU
PF members who are opposed to the
current Gokwe South MP who is
showing interest in Gokwe Central
for next year‟s parliamentary seat .
Gokwe South
25 June 2004
R. R. an MDC member had his prop-
erty worth $150 00 stolen by a mem-
ber of the ruling party F. M. who to
wanted to fix the victim because of
his political affiliation.
Gokwe North
An MDC youth S. was assaulted by F.
who accused him of not wanting to
quit belonging to the MDC.
Gokwe East
T. C. who had come to sell his bales
of cotton at Cotco was denied entry
into the Cotco premises by some
ZANU PF youths who told him that
he could not sell his produce at gov-
ernment run entities because he be-
longed to the opposition party.
17 June 2004
A.C.s family who had organized a
burial for their relative were denied
permission to bury him on the sug-
gested day by some ZANU PF
youths. The family was harassed and
accused of supporting the MDC.
24 June 2004
R. N. was assaulted by J. C. who is a
suspected army deserter. The victim
met the assailant on her way home
and was asked to produce a ZANU PF
card but she could not do so.
28 June 2004
C. a member of the Electoral Super-
visory Committee (E.S.C) on the
mobile registration campaign was
assaulted by some ZANU PF youths
who accused him of carrying a gun.
Gokwe West
7 June 2004
M. S. a suspected MDC activist was
approached at her home by two
ZANU PF activists who told her that
there would burn her house if she
observes elections again.
10 June 2004
Two teachers at Chamatendera
School were threatened by the Vil-
lage‟s ZANUF youths with suspen-
sion from the school if they continued
SOUTHERN REGION
supporting the MDC.
15 June 2004
S was assaulted by M the ZANU PF
Chairperson in the area on allegations
that he was a member of the opposi-
tion MDC Party.
21 June 2004
K. S. was harassed by his kraal Head.
Kraal heads are reported to be forcing
their subjects to join the ZANU PF
ruling party ahead of the coming par-
liamentary election.
Chirumanzu
5 June 2004
Mrs. G. M was assaulted for wearing a
Zimrights T/Shirt with the inscription
“We the Black majority will never be
silent again” on it.
18 June 2004
Mr. H a suspected MDC supporter and
a school teacher was assaulted and
ordered to relocate by ZANU PF
youths. His house was surrounded by
youths who were singing Chimurenga
songs.
28 June 2004
12
Figure 9: Graph showing the types and levels of violence reported from
Matebeleland North
During a casual employment recruit-
ment exercise for the rural council Mr.
D M and S were told to leave as there
were no jobs for them since they are
suspected to be MDC members.
Shurungwi
2 June 2004
J was approached by some people
suspected to be MDC youths and as-
saulted. His gold was taken away by
the same youths.
S was abducted by a war veteran
named J.M. at a campaign rally called
by the ward Councillor. The victim
was also raped. He police refused to
assist her.
4 June 2004
E F was evicted from his piece of land
because he was accused of being an
MDC member and thus not eligible for
land allocation.
8 June 2004
F.M a war veteran and a policeman
took a group of ZANU PF youths to
P.‟s home where they broke into her
bedroom and ransacked it on grounds
that they were searching for MDC
material.
The situation is slowly getting tense in
the province as both ZANU PF and
MDC brace up for the 2005 parliamen-
tary elections. Sporadic incidences of
human rights violations have been re-
corded across the province. Local and
traditional leaders have been implicated
in a number of cases involving intimida-
tion of the communities that they lead.
The political tension is more vivid in
rural constituencies and although hidden
and subtle it manifests when social is-
sues are turned political, for instance in
some rural constituencies tension is cen-
tered around the food distribution pro-
grammes or the cash for work pro-
gramme among other programmes. The
local leadership, the war veterans, the
kraal heads and the chiefs manipulate
these programmes to enhance their po-
litical standing.
Tsholotsho
2 June 2004
Traditional leaders were summoned to a
meeting convened by the ZANU PF
leadership and members of the Zim-
babwe Republic Police. Headman
Mcsetshwa was intimidated by the ruling
party members who included Chief
Matupula. He was accused him of sym-
pathizing with the opposition MDC. He
was threatened with demotion if he con-
tinued to snub the ruling party openly.
In another incident a police officer N.P.
Mpundu who is in the Police Internal
Security Investigations (P.I.S.I) depart-
ment approached R.N. a member of the
opposition MDC and demanded his iden-
tity number. He further demanded to
know the position he held in the opposi-
tion party and also wanted to know who
else was a member of the opposition
party in the area. A.M. also of the MDC
was confronted by the same person on
the same day. Mr. Mpundu and Consta-
ble Chipaka demanded to know these
MDC members‟ schedule of activities in
the area. They were accused of being
unpatriotic and were threatened with
eviction from the area if they continued
supporting the opposition.
Bubi-Umguza
6 June 2004
At about 1600hrs war veterans and
ZANU PF supporters accused A.M. and
A.S. of ZANU PF of not going to Lu-
Matabeleland North
Figure 9: Graph showing the types and levels of violence reported
from Midlands
Matebeleland South
0
6
0 0
8
0 0 0 01
0
02468
10
Tortu
re
Assau
llt
Mur
der
Rape/S
exua
l ...
Intim
idatio
n/H...
Displ
acem
ent
MIP
Tearg
as
Theft/
Loot
ing
Kidna
ppin
g
Arson
Type of cases
To
tals
Mar-04
homeless. They were evicted by RD
Hwange based district coordinating
committee chairperson, Mr. N a politi-
cal commissar and JM.
J, the war veterans‟ chairperson in the
area suggested that all beneficiaries in
the ORAP programme as well as all
those whose names appeared in the
food for work programme register
should campaign for the ruling party.
These people were going to be divided
into different camps and thereafter
carry out campaigns at different times.
Different areas would be allocated to
them. The Gavu community under
Chief Shana felt threatened and vic-
timized by this order.
Lupane
B.M. of Mphahlwa was axed by C.N.
and hospitalized at Mpilo hospital.
C.N. has since been arrested by the
police. This took place after the an-
nouncement of the Lupane by-election
results.
Binga
All Non-Governmental organizations
operating in Binga were asked to sign
a memorandum of understanding with
the local government which will guar-
antee their security without which they
would risk being deregistered since
they will be regarded as operating
outside the legal framework. It has
been made known that this will affect
all NGOs across the country.
ZANU PF members gave a verbal evic-
tion order to, among others Messer's P, N,
G, N.B. They accused them of supporting
the opposition MDC and therefore or-
dered them to go and occupy MDC land.
The fear was that they would influence
other residents in supporting the opposi-
tion party. Mr. J.M, G.M, B.N. were
given the task of clearing Kamativi of
MDC supporters. The victims have since
moved to village 21 along Binga road
leaving behind their belongings.
* The victims went to report the case to
the police who arranged for a meeting
with the Zanu PF leadership. Zanu PF
leadership told them that they will only
discuss with the victims if they were to
denounce their political affiliation before
the press and surrender all their party
symbols and then a determination would
be made whether or not to let them back
into their homes. The meeting was
scheduled for 2 July 2004. Meanwhile
waiting for the scheduled meeting AN,
EM and Mrs. M were summoned to go to
village 21 to stay with a Mankomazana a
ruling party supporter and were expected
to assist her in harvesting without com-
pensations. On 2 August the meeting
was held and the victims were forced to
denounce their party and surrendered their
party cards and t-shirts before the district
commissar, the press (Indosakusa), the
provincial Zanu PF leadership with the
hope of retaining their houses. But still
after all that trouble the have been sub-
jected to more harassment and are still
pane to campaign during the recent by-
elections. This was despite the fact that
the two men had explained the reasons
why they could not go to Lupane. The
war veterans relentlessly harassed
them.
26 June 2004
A.M. was slapped twice on the face for
wearing a T-shirt whose insignia was
said to be similar to that of one opposi-
tion party. The T-shirt was written,”
Medical Aid Society” and the youth
militia took that to be similar to the
emblem of an opposition party. The
matter was reported to the kraal head
who warned the militias against com-
mitting such acts in the future.
13 June
S.N. and M.N. have a long standing
grudge and always exchange insults
each time they meet. S.N. threatened
M.N. with a fracture on his other hand
if he did not change his mind and
joined ZANU PF. M.N. sustained a
fractured arm in the 2002 elections
after being attacked by ZANU PF
youths.
9 June
Four ZANU PF youths got drunk at
Inyathi Business Center and started
boasting about ZANU PF‟s victory in
Lupane. They approached C.M. who
was coming from Bulawayo and ac-
cused him of being a member of the
opposition MDC. They started insult-
ing him. One of the youths was identi-
fied as A.M. A fight almost broke out
had it not been for the members of the
public who intervened and stopped
them.
Hwange West
ZANU PF has employed a door-to-
door campaign exercise. This exercise
is so frightening to the public. They
target people systematically with those
who are influential in society being
approached and asked to join first with
promises of positions within the party.
Our monitor E.M. was approached by
a stranger who identified himself as
T.M. of ZANU PF. T.M. said he was
sent to E.M by the district committee
for recruitment purposes.
Hwange East
8 June 2004
War veterans, youth militias and
SOUTHERN REGION
Figure 10: Graph showing the types and levels of violence reported from
Matebeleland South
Matabeleland South
* Follow-up report 13
Ingwegwe Shopping Centre (Pumula
East)
19 June 2004
A.D. was waylaid by suspected
ZANU PF youths as he was coming
from Ingwegwe Shopping Centre at
night. He was accused of having at-
tended an MDC meeting. The victim
however managed to run away before
he could be assaulted.
Cowdray Park
19 June 2004
E.S. of Cowdray Park was assaulted by
Mr. C after accusing him of being an
MDC supporter and thus a sellout and
also for suspecting that he is the one
who made a report to the police that
he, Mr. C, is a bogus war veteran.
J. Themba Shops (Luveve)
21 June 2004
F.D. was assaulted by about 20 war
veterans at Iyanda School after he was
accused of being a spy for the MDC.
Chigumira Shopping Centre (Luveve)
22 June 2004
About five ZANU PF youths wearing
the 2005 elections as well as inciting
people in the village to be anti-
government. He was also assaulted by
one ZANU PF youth identified as
“Skana”.
Gwabalanda
16 June 2004
A.N. of Gwabalanda was assaulted by
a group consisting of about 10 ZANU
PF men who accused him of being a
sellout.
Old Luveve
18 June 2004
About 5 ZANU PF youths assaulted
N.M. because of her affiliation to the
MDC.
Majube Iyembe Farm
18 June 2004
The victim was ambushed by about six
ZANU PF youth brigades on his way
to his girlfriend‟s homestead. The
perpetrators assaulted him using hard
and sharp instruments accusing him of
being an MDC activist. They left him
for dead and he eventually died in the
early hours of the next day.
The Province seems generally quiet
with a bit of harassment of people here
and there. Campaigning for the forth-
coming elections has begun. In
Gwanda North misunderstandings
between ZANU PF leadership is pro-
nounced as there is more than one
interested candidate for that Parlia-
mentary seat.
Gwanda North
5 June 2004
M. and his three colleagues were con-
fronted by two ZANU PF members on
their way home from Mtshazo Busi-
ness Center. The victims were ac-
cused of attending MDC rallies and
were thus threatened with death. A
fight broke out leaving three people
from both sides injured.
11 June 2004
F.M. had his house burnt down by
unknown people. It is alleged that the
group shouted that they had fixed an
MDC sell out. The victim was not
home at the time of the incident. His
neighbours refused to identify the
perpetrators for fear of victimization.
12 June 2004
A Zanu PF meeting held at Gwake
School which was being chaired by
L.M. who is campaigning for the
Gwanda North seat was disrupted by
the Deputy Minister A. Ncube claim-
ing that L.M. was not the right candi-
date for Zanu PF in that area.
17 June 2004
The councillor for ward 6 in Gwanda
harassed and assaulted a youth wear-
ing an NCA T/shirt accusing him of
spreading lies and discouraging people
from participating in ruling party ac-
tivities.
Bulawayo
12 June 2004
St Peter‟s Village
P.K. was accused of having started to
campaign for the MDC in the run up to
SOUTHERN REGION
Figure 11: Graph showing the types and levels of violence reported from
Bulawayo
14
6 June 2004
Nerupiri: R. C. was assaulted by some
ZANU P. F. youths led by a local coun-
cilor J. M. for not informing the coun-
cilor about her sister and husband who
had visited her with a vehicle. Appar-
ently vehicles are viewed with suspicion
due to fears of penetration by the oppo-
sition MDC party in the area.
Bikita East
12 June 2004
Chegwiti Resettlement: S. M. was
assaulted for allegedly refusing to join
the Border Gezi youths by some ZANU
PF youths.
20 June 2004
Chadya Township: E. D. was assaulted
by M. K. for refusing to show him his
ZANU PF membership card. He was
accused of being an MDC supporter.
29 June 2004
Mabhinde Village: More than ten
ZANU PF women wanted to beat A. M.
accusing her of selling them out to the
ZANU PF youths who in turn were
assaulting them.
13 June 2004
Chivore Village: A. M. had his ox axed
by some suspected ZANU PF youths for
failing to make contributions of
$5000.00 cash which was to fund travel
costs for ZANU PF youth intending to
attend the Umdala Wethu (Joshua
Nkomo) Gala in Gweru.
21 June 2004
Masukume Village: An MDC supporter
M. D. was axed by his brother a ZANU
PF supporter R .M. who was trying to
convert him into supporting ZANU PF.
Gutu North
4 June 2004
Serima: C. was chased away from his
land by the auditing team (land audit)
for allegedly being anti- ZANU PF.
Gutu South
4 June 2004
Chartsworth: Mr. Mukaro could not
sell his paprika at Paprika Zimbabwe
because a ZANU PF Councilor alleged
that he was not supporting ZANU PF
activities and therefore did not deserve
to sell his things in Zimbabwe.
ZANU PF T/shirts assaulted I.N. who
they claimed was an MDC youth.
Babambeni Primary School (Pumula
North)
23 June 2004
N.M. of Pumula North was assaulted
after she was accused of organizing
youths to deter residents from attend-
ing a ruling party meeting which had
been earmarked for the 22nd June.
Masvingo
Chiredzi North
5 June 2004
Mkwasine Plots: S. E .S a white
farmer was severely assaulted by war
veterans because his security guards
had questioned some war veterans who
had allegedly killed his cattle.
7 June 2004
Mkwasine Farm 11: A war veteran
tried to evict T. from his farm house
since the war veteran had allegedly
taken over the farm.
13 June 2004
Hippo Valley Farm 45: In a similar
case as in the Mkwasine Farm 11 case,
another war veteran attempted to evict
the farm owner J. B. from his house.
However the farmer has since resisted
the eviction order.
19 June 2004
Fair Range: G. S. a white farmer had a
misunderstanding with some war vet-
erans settled on his land that eventu-
ally called him names and assaulted
him. He only managed to escape when
his farm workers came to his aid.
Chivi South
11 June 2004-:
Mashayahanya Village: T. K. was
assaulted by ZANU PF youths led by
J.M. for allegedly distributing MDC T/
shirts.
SOUTHERN REGION
Figure 12: Graph showing the types and levels of violence reported from
Masvingo
15
16
ABOUT ZPP
What is Zimbabwe Peace
Project?
Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) is a broad-based, non-partisan, non-profit organisation founded in 2000 by churches in partnership with like-minded civil society organisations. It is inspired by Christian values and the desire to see Zimbabweans embrace and cherish jus-tice, peace and respect for human dignity and freedoms, in a country that values democracy, the rule of law and the secu-rity of all persons.
Vision
To be an authoritative institution in docu-menting acts of political violence and human rights abuses and promotion of conflict transformation initiatives.
Mission Statement
To promote a culture of peace, non-violent resolution of conflict, reconciliation and the respect of rights, freedoms and dignity of all human beings.
How to Contact ZPP
ZPP has offices in all the ten admin-istrative provinces of Zimbabwe. If you wish to know more about the organisation you are free to ap-proach our officers at one of the following addresses:
Head Offices: 43 Dan Judson Road, Milton Park, Harare, P.O. Box BE 427, Belvedere. Tel: 04 77 83 11 Cell: 011 402 162 e-mail: [email protected] Mutare: 27 Fifth Street Cell: 011 423 183 Marondera: Motsrud Building, 1510, Pine Street Extension. Cell: 011 401 340 Masvingo: 7 Robin House, Ma-zorodze Ave Cell: 011 423 187
Gweru: 90B-10th St. Cell: 011 423 185
Bulawayo: 39 Edge House, Fife Street Cell: 011 423 189
Hwange: Zeco Mess Rm. 19, Baobab Hill Cell: 011 423 184 Gwanda: Health Care Phar-macy, New Complex Cell: 023 232 707/ 011 423 186
Chinhoyi: Office No. 7 Stand 46 Midway Street. Cell: 091 381 496
SOUTHERN REGION
Zaka East
Chido : Headman M. and B who are
staunch ZANU PF supporters woke
up to find MDC papers all over their
homes living them in a state of shock.
Masvingo North
Boss Mine: A war veteran D. was
assaulted by allegedly MDC support-
ers after arguing about the monies
war veterans get.
22 June 2004
An MDC supporter S. N. fought and
beat up a ZANU PF supporter after
arguing about Tony Blair and Presi-
dent Mugabe‟s age.
Masvingo Central
1 June 2004
Zvaga Homestead: A ZANU PF ward
Chairperson O.C. organized youths to
go and beat up his young brother‟s
wife who is an MDC Organizing Sec-
retary. She was beaten up and gang
raped.
23 June 2004
Azimuth Road: M.C. was severely
assaulted by soldiers because he did
not give them way during their toy-
toying exercise.
Pangolin Beerhall: An MDC supporter
was assaulted by fellow MDC support-
ers for supporting the incumbent MP,
S. M.
Chivi North
Masukume Village: It is alleged that
J.M. killed his son because he was
affiliated to the MDC party.