Two more MDC activists die from assault injuries

Annette Chiremba who was hospitalised at Rusape hospital after being beaten up, and Justice Gundumura also beaten by ZANU PF militia before being illegally detained at Mutare Central Prison both died on Thursday. They were attacked in the run-up to the June 27 one man presidential run-off from which MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew citing the violence.

 

Speaking to Newsreel on Friday MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said because some areas were sealed off by ruling party militia, the death toll continues to mount as more information trickles in on what happened. So far the party has accounted for 131 activists and officials killed including Chiremba and Gundumura who passed away this week.

 

Maxwell Magoche Tongodiwa from the Chibara area of Mashonaland West succumbed to his injuries on the 6th August. Militia led by L Chikede the ZANU PF district coordinating chairman, assaulted Tongodiwa after accusing him of bringing MDC campaign posters and fliers into the area. Christine Chinozingwa, Zanu PF Women’s League Chairlady was accused of instigating the attack. According to the doctor’s report Tongodiwa died from liver puncture caused by a broken rib. His liver later swelled leading to his painful death.

 

Asked if there were still incidents of violence now that talks between ZANU PF and the MDC had resumed Chamisa said there were still pockets of violence in some areas. There is still a lot of tension around and the infrastructure of violence remains intact, Chamisa said. He argued that ZANU PF’s engagement in the process of dialogue was clearly a very un-natural’ process for ZANU PF because, the default setting of this regime is violence.