Incidents of political violence

Glen Norah

9 March 2008

Two MDC supporters report that they were attacked by a group of ZANU (PF) youths as they were coming from a campaign rally in Glen Norah C.  The ZANU (PF) youths used clenched fists, booted feet and broken beer bottles to attack them.  The assailants also tore off he MDC t-shirts they were wearing.  The victims fled to the home of the MDC youth chairman for the area and he later accompanied them to the police station.  A docket was opened for the case.  

11 March 2008

The male victim, a member of the MDC (Mutambara) faction, reports he was attacked by members of the MDC (Tsvangirai) faction while putting up campaign posters. He was hit by a moving  bicycle and assaulted with clenched fists.   

Harare Central

∑.Zinonline

21 March 2008

State security agents reportedly arrested and detained a local filmmaker, O’Brian Mudyiwenyama, for several hours for allegedly filming campaign posters of presidential aspirant Simba Makoni.  Mudyiwenyama was arrested in central Harare while filming pictures for an upcoming movie, Super Patriots and Morons.  The movie is adapted from a stage play of the same title that was banned about five years ago on the grounds that the play was a direct attack on President Robert Mugabe’s administration.

5 March 2008

The male victim reports that he was assaulted and threatened by two police officers after being found in possession of election monitoring material.  He was coming from an election monitoring workshop when he was stopped and searched by the two police officers.  They took him to the Registrar General’s Office for further interrogation, where upon they took him into a small room and told him to remove his shirt and shoes.  He was then taken to a small space outside the room and forced to do press-ups and to crawl around the open area.  He was also kicked, beaten on the buttocks with a gun but and slapped. He was released after two and a half hours.

Harare South

4 March 2008

Police at Waterfalls Police Station reportedly refused to arrest a group of ZANU (PF) supporters led by aman called  Kanyema who were removing posters in the Harare south area.  A report had been made by MDC supporters.

 

10 March 2008

A male victim reports that two ZANU (PF) supporters attacked him at his home.  He was selling his wares at his home while wearing an MDC t-shirt.  One of the assailants pinned him down while the other assaulted him with a golf club.  He later managed to flee from them.

16 March 2008

The female victim reports that she had gone to Order Farm to attend an MDC rally when she and her colleagues were chased and threatened by ZANU (PF) supporters.  She was traveling in a pick-up truck belonging to the MDC council candidate for Harare South when they saw a vehicle belonging to the Deputy Minister of Transport and Energy, Hubert Nyanhongo, trailing them.  Nyanhongo reportedly got out of his car and told them that he did not want any MDC gatherings in his constituency, and threatened to call the anti-riot police.  A group of ZANU (PF) youths in a car without registration numbers then arrived at the scene, and they began to chase the MDC supporters with the intention of assaulting them.  The youths allegedly shouted obesenities and threatened to kill the MDC supporters.  No one was assaulted.

Harare West

7 March 2008

An MDC activist in Harare West, was attacked as he was heading home after a letter delivery campaign.  A car pulled up beside him and the men inside began taunting him for supporting Morgan Tsvangirai.  A report was made at Westgate Police Station but the police failed to stamp the medical report request form as they claimed they had no rubber stamp.

Mbare

6 March 2008

∑.SW Radio

Police in Mbare reportedly arrested an MDC security official and two vendors in connection with a complaint that had been made against a group of ZANU (PF) youths.  The group of ZANU (PF) supporters reportedly forced the police to arrest the three after the MDC security official named Ozius 
Ndhlovu went to Mbare Police Station to report that ZANU-PF youths were 
pulling down posters and defacing images of MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai. 
Ndhlovu was made to wait at the station for about 3 hours. 

The ZANU (PF) youths reportedly arrived at the station while Ndhlovu was still there 
trying to press charges against them. They told the 
police to arrest Ndhlovu and 3 other people whom they had dragged in with them, 
claiming they were all defacing posters of the ZANU (PF) Presidential Candidate Robert Mugabe.  The police reportedly resisted initially in order to investigate 
further, but the ZANU-PF youths allegedly became aggressive and threatened the police, saying their hesitance showed they were MDC 
supporters leading to the arrest of the three.  The arrested vendors however reportedly insisted they were 
not MDC members and had not even registered to vote.

7 March 2008

Armed police officers in Mbare reportedly watched as ZANUF (PF) supporters pelted MDC activists who were attending a rally in the area.  The watching police officers reportedly told people who had attended the rally that they would be arrested if they retaliated.  Earlier in the day four MDC youths were allegedly attacked and kidnapped for pasting posters and giving out MDC fliers in the area.  They were taken to the ZANU (PF) offices in Mbare and were released after four hours after the police intervened.

12 March 2008

ZANU (PF) members attacked seven MDC supporters while they were putting up MDC campaign posters. The ZANU (PF) youths were armed with catapults, stones, broken bottles and whips, which they used in the attack.  One of the victims was assaulted until he lost consciousness.  He was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital by three police officers but did not receive treatment.  Another victim lost a Nokia cell phone and Z$100 000 000 during the attack.

28 March 2008

The male victim reports that he is the MDC (Tsvangirai) Treasurer for ward 3 in Mbare and was assaulted by suspected ZANU (PF) supporters while on his way home from a rally.  He was reportedly confronted by a group of about 10 ZANU (PF) youths at Matagarika flats, who began assaulting him with a blunt metal object.  He lost conciousness and was assisted by passers-by.  The incident was reported to Matapi Police Station but no arrests were nade.

Zengeza

13 March 200

The male victim reports that he was attacked by a group of 4 ZANU (PF) supporters while coming from a meeting with the MDC House of Assembly candidate for Zengeza.  He was in the company of 4 colleagues when they were approached by the ZANU (PF) supporters accusing them of assaulting their Chairman and pulling down ZANU (PF) posters.  They were forced into a combi where they were assaulted with open hands, clenched fists and booted feet.  They were driven to St Mary’s Police Station where two of them were released on arrival.  The victim and a remaining colleague were kept in custody and transferred to Harare Central Police Station after 2 days.  They were released on 17 March 2008.

30 March 2008

∑.Zimonline

Police reportedly arrested 13 opposition activists and 
two aspiring lawmakers in Chitungwiza after clashes that followed the Harmonised Elections.

Parliamentary candidates from rival factions of the Movement for Democratic 
Change(MDC) party and their activists were detained after clashes which left five people injured.

Supporters of one of the candidates, Marvellous Khumalo, had reportedly concluded that they had won against the other candidate Job 
Sikhala and started celebrating, It is reported that as part of the celebrations they made a mock coffin with the words ‘Rest in 
Peace Jobless’ and went to Sikhala’s house in St Mary’s where they were 
intercepted by Sikhala’s supporters, resulting in the clashes.
The clashes left five people with serious injuries including one with a 
broken arm and another with a gash across his face.



MANICALAND

Mutasa South

3 March 2008

ZANU (PF) candidate for Mutasa South constituency Sherlington Dumbura and war veterans reportedly invaded a farm in the area and proceeded to beat up about 170 workers.  They also allegedly stole 1200 litres of diesel, sheep, goats, cattle, and loaded them in a truck owned by Dumbura.

 

Buhera South

20 March 2008

Anti-riot Police reportedly assaulted MDC supporters who were attending a rally in Birchnough Bridge. The rally was being held close to where a ZANU (PF) rally was also being held.  The police were apparently called in by  the ZANU (PF) supporters on allegations that they were  being provoked by the MDC supporters.  There was a stampede of MDC supporters fleeing from the police resulting in injuries.  A male victim reports that he was beaten three times on the right hand and also lost his glasses during the chaos.


MASHONALAND CENTRAL

Hurungwe East

29 March 2008

Themba Mliswa, the owner of Spring Farm, is said to have locked in his employees to stop them from voting. Some of the employees managed to escape and reported the matter to the police who in turn came to investigate, leading to the release of the other employees.

Shamva

12 March 2008

The male victim reports that he was attacked by suspected ZANU (PF) supporters for wearing an MDC t-shirt.  He was coming from the Chakonda area to his home wearing an MDC t-shirt and carrying MDC campaign posters.  A group of three men emerged out of the bush and began assaulting him.  The assailants used clenched fists in the attack.  The incident was reported to the police and the victim managed to identify two of the assailants as Perete Mazowe and Emmanuel, who are said to be known ZANU (PF) supporters.

MASHONALAND EAST

Mhondoro Ngezi

7 March 2008

The Chief election agent for MDC, Edward Chimedza, reportedly had the rear windscreen of his vehicle smashed by ZANU (PF) youths (Musa Vella, Mangoyi, Chigohonja and Mujuru) when he was coming from attending a rally.  The incident was reported to the police and the group was arrested after two days.

Marondera West

30 March 2008

The ZANU (PF) District Coordinating Chairman and Brigadier Ambrose Mutinhiri allegedlyy led a group of ZANU (PF) youth to Landas Township and assaulted several MDC supporters.  Four trucks were reportedly used to transport the assailants. Seven people were seriously injured during the attack.  It is also reported that attacks by ZANU (PF) youth in the area were occurring regularly.

Marondera West

30 March 2008

Two male MDC supporters report that they were assaulted by suspected ZANU (PF) supporters while trying to view election results that had been pinned on a tree at Mahusekwa Growth Point.  One of the victims reports that he was attacked from behind by one of the assailants identified as Foster Gwanzura, who tried to drag him to the ZANU (PF) post in the area. Both victims report they were  assaulted with clenched fists. Both incidences were reported to the police.

MASHONALAND WEST

Zvimba West

14 March 2008

The MDC secretary for administration in Zvimba West, Edmore Goremasandu was reportedly attacked by ZANU (PF) youths namely Chigomararwa, Moses Chigari,  Rutendo Muguza and Amos Matibhiri for being a member of the MDC.  The victim was able to escape the first attack but the group of ZANU (PF) youths persued him later that evening to his home.  He however was not present at his home at the time but the assailants destroyed the window panes and doors of his home.  They also took two pairs of trousers that belonged to him.

Makonde

23 March 2008

David Zungura, the MDC House of Assembly candidate for Mhangura and his campaign team, were assaulted by suspected ZANU (PF) supporters while on a door-to-door campaign in their area.  The assailants used logs, booted feet and clenched fists in the attack.  Their campaign posters and fliers were reportedly taken from them and their t-shirts burnt.  They were also allegedly made to sing songs derogating Morgan Tsvangirai.  Zungura lost his spectacles and an unspecified amount of cash.  A report was made to Mhangura Police Station.

MASVINGO

Bikita West

Student activists Madock Chivasa, Hillary Zhou, Farirai Mageza, Simbai Chivasa, Tapiwa Mushati, Andrew Madziwa, and Vincent Chimwami, a Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activist were arrested and detained at Nyika Police Station while distributing election campaign materials for a student campaign urging youths to vote. Simbai and Mardock Chivasa, Mageza and Madziwa were seriously injured and sustained dog bites.  They were sent to Nyika Clinic for medical attention.

   

 

Monthly totals of human rights violations from 1 January 2008 – 31  March 2008

Table 1

    Jan    February     March     Total    

Abduction/

kidnapping      3      11      3      17    

Assault      56      45      270      371    

Attempted

murder      0      0      0      0    

Death threats      1       0      5      6    

Disappearance      0      0      0      0    

Displacement      0      0      0      0    

Freedom of    expr/ass/mvt      94      410      108      612    

Murder      0      0      0      0    

Political Discrim/ intim/vict      67      410      287      764    

Property related      1      0      8      9    

Rape      0      0      0      0    

School closure      0      0      0      0    

Torture      2      10      24      36    

Unlawful arrest      56      42      19      117    

Unlawful detention      56      42      19      117    

Monthly Totals      336     970     743     2 049    

 

    MAIN EVENTS 2008

January

    22

    23

   25

    

  MDC Freedom March’ is banned by the police.

  Morgan Tsvangirai is picked up and detained by the police from his home in the early                   

  hours of the morning.  

  MDC members are assaulted and arrested as they march towards Glamis stadium for a  

  rally.

  Members of Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe are arrested and detained              

  following a peaceful demonstration.

February

    13

    19

    24

    

  Student leaders are arrested and assaulted for demonstrating in Harare and Bulawayo.

  The MDC Tsvangirai faction Mabvuku Paliamentary candidate is arresetd outiside the   

  party’s headquarters  allegedly for planning a demonstration.

  Nine members of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe are abducted and

  assaulted by suspected ZANU (PF) supporters before being handed over to the police.

  The MDC (Tsvangirai) Parliamentary candidate for Mhondoro/Ngezi is detained at  

  Mubaira Police Station for 34 hours on allegations that his campaign team had used

  abusive language during a campaign session.

 March

   8

   10

 

   29    

  WOZA demonstrates on Internatinal Womens’ Day.  Three members are assaulted and

  fifty are injured in assaults by anti-riot police.

  Seven women are assaulted in Epworth while coming from an MDC rally.  Two of them

  are stripped of their party regalia leaving them half naked.

  Voting in the Harminised General, House of Assembly, Senate and Local Government

  elections takes place.