| The Unleashing of Violence: A report on violence in Zimbabwe update for the week ending May 26, 2000 |
||
Contents « » Introduction The Human Rights NGO Forum is continuing its efforts to document politically-motivated violence in the run up to Zimbabwe’s parliamentary elections, now scheduled for 24-25 June. The Forum deplores the state-sponsored campaign to crush opposition support that continues to claim lives, to inflict injuries and to destroy livelihoods. It also deplores violence by opposition members. Once again, it calls upon all political parties to pursue democratic and peaceful campaigns and to insist that their supporters do likewise. It expects the leadership of the ruling party, Zanu (PF), to condemn the acts of violence which are being perpetrated in its name. It demands that the government of Zimbabwe take firm action to protect its citizens, whatever their race, gender or political affiliation. The struggle to promote the values of peace, justice, equality and democracy in Zimbabwe is now confronting its greatest challenge in twenty years. War veterans and Zanu (PF) supporters are terrorizing civilians, particularly in the rural areas. Often armed, these gangs swear their allegiance to Zanu (PF) and look to President Robert Mugabe as their sole authority. Their impact is extensive, largely because they share an apparent conviction that they are acting on behalf of the President himself and as such can act with impunity. In some rural areas the structures of authority have been usurped by gangs of Zanu (PF) supporters, including war veterans, sometimes with the collaboration of government officials. They are making impossible demands of villagers, farmworkers and farmers and administering punishments liberally to those who fail to comply. The police have openly admitted their reluctance or their inability to act in many areas, but this may be changing. There are indications that some police officers are now prepared to intervene more often. The Police Commissioner, Augustine Chihuri and the Minister of Home Affairs, Dumiso Dabengwa, have in the past week declared their intention to enforce the law, showing greater resolve than since the crisis began with the farm invasions more than two months ago. This is a positive development and it is to be hoped that it will translate into real improvements on the ground. The death of a Zanu (PF) supporter who was hit by a tear gas canister thrown by police during a riot outside the police station in Mvurwi was deeply regrettable. It illustrates the problems facing ordinary policemen who are faced with an unprecedented situation. In recognition of this it is important that the police be given solid support by the government to enable them to carry out their duties in the months to come. TOP |