The Unleashing of Violence:
A report on violence in Zimbabwe
as at May 15, 2000

Political violence

Various reports from Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace

Report 1 (dated 29 March 2000)
There has been serious political violence in Kwekwe Central. War Veterans invaded Rainbow Sandawana Theatre where farmers had a meeting with MDC presenting T Shirts. About 50 T-shirts were seized by War Vets. When MDC youths went to war vets to reclaim their Tshirts that is when disturbances started. Then after during evening, War Vets went on a rampage attacking whichever whites they met. They seriously injured three white people at Shamwari Hotel who were taken to hospital. Birdle Electrical Services and Lions were set ablaze and destroyed respectively. However Police were partly to blame because when war vets seized MDC T shirts they stood aloof. Even now as I am writing MDC youth has just walked in and reported that he has been assaulted by supporters of Zanu (PF), he is from farms near Gweru. For the safety of human life and property please can you make and appeal to the Police Commissioner for protection. People here are living in fear.

Report 2
On 3 May 2000 we were travelling from Mtaga Growth point to Mberengwa District Office. We got at Bara Farm Cocktail Bar 4km from Munene Mission Hospital, a group of fifteen to twenty Zanu (PF) supporters armed with machetes got in Mhunga Bus, searching and harrassing passengers. They claimed to be war veterans and wanted everyone to carry Zanu (PF) cards. We had to quickly drive away for safety.

Report 3
Mr Shanya was assaulted on the 8 April. All his houses and belongings set on fire. He is still in hospital. Mr Chingoshso of Mt Darwin died as a result of injuries sustained after being assaulted and was buried on the 3 April His house was also destroyed. The headmaster of Chawarura school was also badly assaulted and his whereabouts are not clear. Most people are sleeping in the bush because of fear of being attacked at night. There are numerous unreported cases of beatings (severe) and threats in the area but it seems nothing is being done.   TOP