BUHERA - Violence and intimidation against MDC activists has continued here, as Zanu (PF) steps up its efforts to force villagers to support the infamous Kariba Draft. Terrified villagers told The Zimbabwean that Zanu (PF) militia and notorious war veterans were reportedly abducting, severely beating and torturing them.
They are targeting teachers and the working class who they say are educating the people about the constitution making process. They believe that they are explaining the bad part of the Kariba Draft to the rest of villagers who do not understand the (constitution) process, said a teacher in the area.
The torture is believed to be held at the notorious Mutiusinazita torture base.
The MDC spokesman for the Manicaland constituency, Pishai Muchauraya, told The Zimbabwean that the MDC torture victims had been unable to receive medical care or be transported to hospital because most of the party’s vehicles are in the hands of the police who confiscated them during the turbulent period following the sham March 29, 2008 elections.
Muchauraya added that hundreds of MDC supporters around the country were yet to receive medical care for election-period injuries, due to lack of transport and other problems.
Muchauraya confirmed that war veterans were still carrying out a violent campaign against MDC supporters in the Manicaland province.
Buhera South is the worst affected area as groups under the leadership of Joseph Chinotimba are terrorizing the area and brutalizing our supporters.
A traditional leader who requested anonymity said: They are now moving door-to-door threatening villagers with death if they do not support the Kariba Draft. As leaders we have been warned with unspecified action if the Kariba Draft fails to sail through. But I want to make this very clear and urge my people to speak their mind because this is the time to make the Zimbabwe they want.
We now know what we want as people of Zimbabwe. We are not going to be forced to do things against our wishes. The March 2008 election should be a measuring point that Zanu (PF) is no longer popular within the electorate. People are no longer willing to listen to what Zanu PF says, said a villager only identified as Hamadziripi.
Meanwhile, as the war veterans and militia continue their reign of terror, people are beginning to starve to death. In Makoni South the villagers are now appealing for humanitarian aid.
Post published in: Politics