No rule of law in Mudzi, Mutoko

It is clear that there is no rule of law in Mudzi and Mutoko. The situation has continued to deteriorate with bases mushrooming and freedom curtailed. Please take action before the killings start all over again as the perpetrators are promising. Police inaction has made the situation worse. The perpetrators have promised our members with death come April this year, says the report, compiled by Givemore Chinopfumbuka, the Provincial Administrator, and Silas Gweshe the Information Secretary.

The MDC says it has evidence that the violence is co-ordinated by the Zanu (PF) leadership including the local MP, Newton Kachepa. Although our people report to the police, no action is taken against the perpetrators and at times the victims have turned out to be the accused. Many people are living like hostages as they fear to report their cases to the police after being warned that they will face death if they do so, says the report.

Kachepa has been in the news lately, reportedly moving from house to house as he can’t stay in his own or any other house because unknown and unseen people are throwing stones at any house he occupies and at his grinding mill. He has also become a Mupostori.

Kachepa no longer visits his home in Mudzi North, where it is reported that a mango tree suddenly grew up bearing fruit in the middle of his house and a strange creature vomited up a snake outside his door.

CASE NUMBER ONE

TC of Chimwanda Village was kidnapped on March 17 by a group of Zanu (PF) youths led by Gracious Zimi, Beshmedia Jimu and Mark Nyamaruburo – all Zanu (PF) village youth chairmen. He was taken to Chimudhuri Base in Kamburanyanga Village under the command of Patrick Kamburanyanga, the village head, who is also a war veteran. He was beaten all over the body in front of a crowd of more than 200 people who were forced to attend. TC managed to flee during the night and took refuge at the Ward Councillors residence.

The case was reported to the police at Nyamapanda on March 18, RRB number 10124295. The police have not arrested the perpetrators, who continue to hunt fpr the victim. His family has fled. A rescue team managed to take Tonde out of Mudzi on March 22.

CASE NUMBER TWO

WM of Kamburanyanga Village was kidnapped by Zanu (PF) youths on 13 March 2011. The youths were led by Blessing Kamoga. He was taken to the base mentioned above and kept captive for seven days, being beaten daily. He managed to sneak out on March 20 after a lapse of concentration by his captors. The case was reported to Kotwa police on March 21, RRB Number 0974147. The police went to the scene, saw the perpetrators but made no arrests. The victim stayed with Councillor Mahachi until rescued.

An earlier rescue attempt on March 17 came under attack. Mahachi was struck by an axe and Robert Dombo was struck by a stone. The rescue vehicle was blocked with boulders but the team managed to flee the scene.

This also was reported at Nyamapanda police, directly to Chief Inspector Mugandani, but no arrests have been made. The RRB number is 10124296.

CASE NUMBER THREE

TN of Chatima Village sent a distress call around 9pm on March 21 after his house was surrounded by a crowd of Zanu (PF) thugs armed with axes, sticks and other traditional weapons.

Efforts to contact him since then have been in vain. The rescue team did not go to the village as it was getting dark, but went to the police station where a formal report was made to Assistant Inspector Kamugowetu (phone no 0772 692118), Sgt Lieto and Sgt Mutumani. The three also confirmed having reports of the violence in the area but could not say why they are failing to make arrests. Nyamayeuta remains untraceable although the police at Kotwa have promised to make a follow up if they get transport.

CASE NUMBER FOUR

MN fled home after being beaten at a farmers meeting in February 2011 by Michael Davaka. She was accused of being an MDC member. The case was reported to the police at Kotwa CR number 69/02/11, no action has been taken.

CASE NUMBER FIVE

EC of Ward 2 Kondo area survived an abduction attempt by MP Newton Kachepa, Langton Masape, Martin Vhera, Jevas Chiutsa the Ward 2 Councillor and 14 Zanu (PF) youths led by Phillip Chinyanga on February 19.

She fled her home after Kachepa personally confronted her and warned that she would disappear. She managed to report to the police at Nyamapanda, but no arrests have been made. Case RRB number is 1024269.

The MP continues to address illegal meetings fomenting violence. One such meeting was held at Musau Primary School onMarch 22 in front of school kids.

CASE NUMBER SIX

BM of Ward 9 has fled home after a former soldier, Philip Chinyanga, and a group of Zanu (PF) people attempted to abduct her. She reported at Nyamapanda police station. The RRB number is 1024270. No arrests have been made almost a month after the report.

CASE NUMBER SEVEN

MMs fields were destroyed by Zanu (PF) people led by Chamu Makaza. A report was made at Kotwa CRB number 85/02/2011. No action has been taken.

CASE NUMBER EIGHT

John Mutofora was beaten by Zanu (PF) people led by Councillor Jevas Chiutsa on 28 February 2011. A report was made at Kotwa RRB number 0974109. No action has been taken.

CASE NUMBER NINE

LC was attacked by the group led by Philip Chinyanga and Fightwell Silumba. A report was made to police at Kotwa RRB 0974108. Up to now no action has been taken.

CASE NUMBER TEN

TM of Shinga Ward in Mudzi West is living in fear after receiving death threats from Lazarous Mupasa and Josphat Mupaso led by Danger Sami, the Zanu (PF) ward Vice Chairman. They came to her home on February 26. Her crime is being a member of the MDC. (In 2008 she was also beaten and her livestock taken). A report was made at Nyamapanda after the Suswe police refused to entertain her. The RRB number 1024284. No action has been taken by the police.

CASE NUMBER ELEVEN

Chimoyo school teachers Mr M and Mr T have been targeted for removal after being accused of being MDC supporters. Chimoyo School is in Mutoko East constituency. Ingidzai Kapondoro, the Zanu (PF) District Chairman, incited the parents and ordered children to vacate the school. This resulted in the school not operating for two weeks.

The Ministry of Education has asked the teachers to stay and the other teachers have threatened to leave en-mass if their colleagues are removed.