A list of the high-profile perpetrators, published by the Human Rights NGO Forum in July 2001, could be confused for a who's who of the high and mighty in government and Zanu (PF) business today, after Mugabe blocked trials and issued controversial amnesties to free those implicated.
The most senior perpetrator now sitting in government with the leader of the victims, Morgan Tsvangirai of MDC-T is Joice Mujuru, who was made vice-president after conducting a nationwide reign of terror.
Mujuru was the acting minister of defence in the run-up to the 2000 polls and authorized the supply of weapons and logistics to war veterans and Zanu (PF) militias rampaging through the farms, towns and villages attacking MDC supporters.
At least 35 MDC supporters and five commercial farmers were killed during that period but not a single conviction has been made for the murders, including that of David Stevens, who was dragged from a police station and shot by war veterans.
Most of the trial documents and physical evidence such as bullets have disappeared while material witnesses have vanished after being displaced or threatened.
Mujuru was seriously exposed after she wrote a letter to the Mozambican police putting a $25 000 bounty on the head of Sarodzi Chavakanaka, alias Zulu, a war veteran who had defected to the MDC and was campaigning in her Mt Darwin constituency. Zulu lived four kilometres from the border and was known to flee to Mozambique when Mujuru supporters came looking for him.
Another perpetrator is Saviour Kasukuwere, who was named in the death of a petrol attendant in Mt Darwin and numerous cases of violence.
Other violators now in senior posts are Herbert Murerwa, now minister of lands, Nicholas Goche, now minister of transport and communications, former deputy ministers Joel Biggie Matiza and David Chapfika, governor Ray Kaukonde and MP Shadreck Chipanga.
Border Gezi and Chenjerai Hunzvi escaped justice through death while others like Gladys Hokoyo, Sabina Thembani, Joseph Mwale, Wilson Biggie Chitoro, Kainos 'Kitsiyatota' Zimunya, Artwell Chiwara and Nobbie Dzinzi have actively been ptotected for a series of horrific murders, torture and other assaults on Mugabe's opposition.
A parliamentary investigation into the violence stalled in 2000 after Zanu (PF)'s Eddison Zvobgo claimed the matters were with the police and in the courts and were, therefore sub judice.
Post published in: News