Contents « Mat North & South Bulawayo »Midlands
Killings
An MDC activist, Finos Zhau, 23, died on 9 June. He had been abducted together with his
brother from a Growth Point in Mberengwa by a mob of Zanu (PF) supporters. They took the
brothers to a nearby farm which was being used as a base by the war veterans. They were
held for three to four days. Over that period they were interrogated and viciously beaten
up. After they were released Finos died and the other brother had to be rushed to hospital
for treatment for serious injuries including a broken leg.
Also on 9 June in Mberengwa a Zanu (PF) died after being stabbed by an MDC member. The
police say that the Zanu (PF) man was drinking beer at a business centre when a suspected
MDC supporter ordered him to take off his Zanu (PF) T-shirt, saying it was out of place,
This resulted in an altercation between the two. It is alleged that the MDC supporter
pulled out a knife and stabbed the Zanu (PF) supporter in the chest and the victim died
before he could be taken to hospital.
Rapes
On June 3 the MDC reported in the Mutaga area there had been nine reports of war veterans
raping women. In one instance seven men claiming to be Zanu-PF supporters attacked the
wife of a senior MDC official in her bedroom to "punish her for selling MDC
cards" She was held down at each arm and each leg by four men, a fifth man sat on her
neck and pummelled her while they took turns beating her and her husband claims she was
raped. They beat her so severely that she can barely walk and her skin is navy with
bruises. Sekai Holland, the MDC candidate for the area says: "the woman now walks
around telling people she is no longer a person." It is alleged that when the
woman’s husband went to report the rape to the police they told him they had no time
to help him. It is further alleged that the attackers later beat him up with rocks and
when he reported to this to the police they said they could not assist. A few days later
this man was taken off a bus and savagely beaten.
Violence against teachers and nurses
In Mberengwa about 30 people Zanu (PF) supporters harassed teachers at Mnene primary and
secondary schools and abducted a temporary teacher.
1 June, Mberengwa
Seven schools in Mberengwa have been closed after suspected war veterans and Zanu (PF)
militants launched a terror crusade at Matanga Growth Point and surrounding areas last
Sunday. Scores of teachers were beaten up and fled for their safety. The militants first
broke into an MDC office and confiscated a supporter’s register which they later used
to identify teachers and villagers as MDC supporters.
On 1 June in Mberengwa West A group of war veterans forced at least two teachers at
Ruvabku to go and victimize Nkomo, a teacher who had to flee from Chegato Primary School
several teachers were singled out by war veterans suspected of being MDC supporters. At
Maringambizi Secondary School war veterans descended on the female head and threatened two
teachers before setting the school library on fire, which partly burnt.
1 June, Mnene
A nurse at Mnene Hospital and a teacher at a primary school are reported to have been
beaten up with electrical cords and sticks threatened to be killed, stripped naked, forced
to climb trees and jump from three meters, then frogmarched to Texas Farm where war
veterans camp, serving as a self-styled re-education camp. The Lutheran Church issued a
press release on the issue.
Violence against opposition party office bearers and supporters
The violence against members of the opposition started to intensify towards the end of
May. One area that has been very badly affected are Mberengwa and Gokwe.
These are a selection of statements taken from victims:
Area: Mberengwa
| Case |
Extract |
|
Implicated/
Assailants |
| 1 |
In the end there was about twelve of us, and
we were surrounded by about 500 Zanu (PF) supporters bearing spears, axes, knobkerries and
planks with nails. |
|
Christen Ncube |
| 2 |
He personally received two axe
blows to the head, and suffered from a broken tibia as a result of five axe cuts. |
|
George Makombe, Mr Mombe, Bob
Matsvimbo, Mr Madharani of Samambwa School, Engineer Mackenzie |
| 3 |
They beat me and cut me with
axes. It lasted about 6 minutes. |
|
|
| 4 |
They started stoning us and destroyed our
grinder and drilling machine. |
|
Patrick Masonda, Langton Mangena,
Tawona Siziba, Big Chitoro and another teacher at Zvishava primary known as Shiri |
| 5 |
When I left they assaulted my wife and took
away our membership card. They took her to a nearby township where they forced her to buy
a Zanu (PF) card together with one of my sons. |
|
Judson Hove, Hlazo Moyo a
headmaster, June Judson |
| 6 |
They then took clothing including
my children’s one mattress and burnt them. |
|
Langton Mangena, Festo Jamela
(war veteran), Endsen Dube Chilami, Davison Chipenyu, Clifford Donsa, Elia Dube |
| 7 |
The security guard for the night club then
handcuffed me. His name is Later. They then started assaulting me with open hands, iron
bars and booted feet. |
|
Later Mapiye(a security guard at
Mataga Night Club), Samuel Hungwe |
| 8 |
They asked for any ID and they had an issue of
the Daily News that had the names of some polling agents based at Musume. They
compared the list, and my name appeared.
Reported to: Mataga Police station |
|
|
| 9 |
My house was also destroyed,
along with all the property inside it, and they are currently using my house as a toilet. |
|
One headmaster, Munyaradzi Ndlovu, Mai
Matavire, Mai Mapingire,. P.P. Shumba (an ex-combatant), Fidzi Shiri, Ernest Shoko,
Sikhangizile and Sithaviso Mataka, and Joyce Chinyoka were present in all the
disturbances, and intimidation.
Richard Hove. |
| 10 |
As we passed through Tom shopping centre, some
Zanu (PF) supporters led by Biggie Chitoro started throwing stones at us. |
|
Biggie Chitoro |
| 11 |
They broke through the door and
dragged me out of the house. |
|
Ronica Siluli, Alice, Portia,
Phidz Hugwe, Learnmore, Memory, MaNdlovu, Ernest, Sithabile and Sikhangezile Mataka. |
| 12 |
We were forced to go to the cattle dip and
made to swim. We were not allowed to come out of the tank, even when we began to tire.
They had surrounded the tank, and they assaulted any one of us trying to come out of the
tank. |
|
Chitova, Svinurai |
| 13 |
The same day saw my whole
homestead being burnt down to ashes, and I lost the whole property. |
|
Hlazo Moyo (headmaster at
Chomonyaka Primary School), Judson Hove, Dennis Hove, Ziziso Mutsungi, and Zaranyika Hove.
Rugare Gumbo, Vunganai Ngezvenyu, Ziviso Mutsungi and Hlazo Moyo.
Webster Khumalo, Judson Hove and Zenias Mutsungi |
| 14 |
He beat my children, trying to
get them to tell him where I was... |
|
Brilliant Zhou.
S Mapingire, Rudo Mabhena, and Madhafu Moyo (Dube). |
| 15 |
Then he was assaulted using open
hands and sjamboks. The police were present, and just watched from a safe distance of
about 100m. |
|
|
| 16 |
They assaulted him, using open
hands, clenched fists, and booted feet. They also pulled his ears with pliers. |
|
Stan Muzondo and Tendai Teketa |
| 17 |
..about 150 ex-combatants and
Zanu (PF) youths armed with knobkerries and chains came to his house at about 8.00 am. |
|
Terence Gumbo.
Absent Foloma (Zanu (PF) youth leader), David Chihora, Taruvonga Ngwenya (war vet), Tyson
Ngwenya (youth leader), Mr Shiri (a teacher from Zvishava Primary School, and the person
who provided the transport), and Big Chitoro. |
| 18 |
The complainant was sold out by
her brother who identified her as an MDC supporter. |
|
Andson |
| 19 |
As he got off the bus he was
ambushed by a group of Zanu (PF) supporters who assaulted him using
chains,sjamboks,knobkerries and various other hard and sharp objects. |
|
Absent Foloma |
| 20 |
At the rally a list of all people perceived to
be MDC supporters was read out. These people were urged to surrender MDC party cards or
risk facing unspecified harm. |
|
Mr Shiri, Tavona Chigwengwenene |
| 21 |
They dragged him out of his house
and assaulted him using logs and various other hard and sharp objects. |
|
Tavona Dziva of chief Chingoma from Chikona
village, Joram Gumbo, Lyford Nkomo, Langton Mangena, Festo Jamela, Handsome Dube and
Davison Matutu |
| 22 |
They demanded from him a list of
all those people who supported MDC. If he would not cooperate with them he was threatened
with death. |
|
Richard Hove, Joram Gumbo, Milcoat Dziva, Abel
Masiya Machambani, Paul Maphosa (a deputy headmaster at Makuwaza school) |
| 23 |
..at about 12 midnight a group of Zanu (PF)
youths handcuffed Jemison Zhou and assaulted him using chains, sjamboks, open hands,
clenched fists and booted feet. |
|
Later Mapiye, Samuel Hungwe and
Stabile Mataka |
| 24 |
The thugs later abducted the
complainant and assaulted her using baton sticks, sjamboks, axes and other various hard
and sharp objects. |
|
Later Mapiye, Phillip Hungwe,
Ronica Silului, Skanyisela Mataka, Stabile Mataka, Rejoice Chinyoka and other women only
identified as Memory, Alice and Portia |
| 25 |
They assaulted the women using
sjamboks, sticks, open hands, clenched fists and booted feet. |
|
Stabile Mataga, Mr Jokonya and a
woman only known to the complainant as Mandlovu |
| 26 |
Without being given the
opportunity to comply with the demand the complainant was struck in the face with an iron
bar. |
|
|
| 27 |
They were assaulted with various
weapons including sticks and sjamboks. |
|
Walter Chiguzeni and Vambire
Ncube.
Absent Foloma. |
| 28 |
The group verbally abused the MDC
candidate and her supporters and in an intimidating manner advanced towards them. |
|
Shiri, Eddie Nkomo, Taona Dziva,
Kenneth Hove and Foloma from Gweru |
| 29 |
..the Zanu (PF) youths damaged the
complainant’s butchery and grocery shop. Property valued at $100 000 was destroyed. |
|
Masunda, Jamela, Sam Ncube, Taona
Dziva, Portia Hove, Mandlovu and P Hungwe |
| 30 |
One of them, Clifford Nkomo, tried to strangle
me and beat me unconscious. |
|
Abel Masiya and Masunda Nyoni |
Area: Gokwe
| Case |
Extract |
|
Implicated/
Assailants |
| 31 |
About 10 to 15days later Moyo said if I do not
leave the opposition party my life will be sour. |
|
Mr Moyo, Mr Mukahla |
Area: Kwekwe
| Case |
Extract |
|
Implicated/
Assailants |
| 32 |
All his children were beaten and one of them
was doused in petrol. Another child sustained head injuries. |
|
|
Newspaper reports – Area: Gokwe
On the 12 June it was reported that
A ZUD candidate in Gokwe and his campaign manager have fled from the Midlands area
after threats from Zanu PF supporters. Gumbo said he had to leave because the police were
not taking any action against the culprits. "We cannot campaign because of the
threats," he said. "We had a meeting with the police but they are not
helping." Some ZUD supporters were abducted by suspected Zanu PF members and forced
to buy Zanu (PF) party membership cards.
Three members of the MDC say police officers watched helplessly while a gang of
suspected war veterans and Zanu (PF) supporters tortured them about eight kilometres from
Mataga Growth Point in Mberengwa East. The three were among five MDC youth leaders who
went to Mberengwa on 3 June to campaign for Sekai Holland, the party's candidate for
Mberengwa East. Simbarashe Muchemwa, 25, one of the victims was still in pain as he
related their ordeal. He sustained bruises and burns to the back, the crotch and the belly
after their tormentors burnt him with plastic. They also whipped him. His torturers are
still at large. Muchemwa said their truck ran out of diesel while they were going to
Zvishavane. They went back to Mberengwa to buy diesel. Upon their return, they were
suddenly surrounded by a gang of strangers. "There were more than 20 men who were
very friendly at first. We were surprised when they turned hostile, tied our hands and
feet and began kicking and whipping us all over and calling us traitors." Muchemwa
said they asked him about his rural home and when he said that he came from Buhera, they
said everyone from Buhera supported the MDC. Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader, comes from
Buhera. "Some members of the gang undressed me, lit plastic paper and took turns to
torture me, Muchemwa said, still in agony. "It was the most painful experience I have
ever had. I screamed and pleaded with them to release me but they would not listen.
"What hurt me most is that some policemen stopped in a truck while we were being
tortured. They did not do anything. "They told us that their leader, Big Chitoro, was
coming the following morning to gouge out our eyes and I began planning to escape."
Muchemwa managed to escape during the night. Meanwhile, their torturers released
Muchemwa's colleagues and set their truck a Toyota Hilux on fire. A Good Samaritan gave
Muchemwa a lift to Zvishavane General Hospital. He said he asked to be discharged on
Thursday last week after some people came to the hospital looking for him.
Involvement of Zanu (PF) officials
It is alleged that the Zanu (PF) candidate for Gokwe Central is involved in organising the
Zanu (PF) youths at one of the local bases. In Gokwe North is alleged that a Zanu (PF)
candidate is leading Zanu (PF) youths stationed at one of the Council offices.
Bases from which the war veterans and their supporters have been operating
In Mberengwa the bases are said to be Texas Farm, Bara Farm, a farm said to be owned by a
Zanu (PF) member and the Cold Storage Commission at the Mberengwa turn off. These bases
are said to be under the leadership of a notorious war veteran named Big Chitoro. In Gokwe
the base is alleged to be the Rural District Council offices, which are usually used as
the polling station. There were about 71 youths there at the time of the observation.The
leaders are said to be the Zanu (PF) candidate for Gokwe central and an ex-combatant. In
Gokwe North the base is allegedly the Council offices in Mutora Nembudziya Growth Point.
In Gokwe East the base is thought to be the Council offices in Buka. The Zanu (PF)
candidate for the area is said to be leading 53 youths stationed at the Council offices
there. These youths are not locals.
Violence against Zanu (PF) members
In its compilation of alleged MDC violence The Sunday Mail (11 June) reported the
following incidents in the province from February onwards:
At the end of March it is alleged that Sylvester Majekuza, the Midlands North
organising secretary and some whites beat up Sebastian Tshuma, a war veteran and member of
Zanu (PF).(No details are given of the injuries suffered.)
In early April in Zvishavane MDC youths attacked Zanu (PF) youths who had gathered for
a political meeting. (No details are given of the injuries suffered).
At the end of May 15 MDC youths attacked three Zanu (PF) supporters, one of them an
ex-combatant at Matage Growth Point, Mberengwa East. The youths were allegedly ferried to
the area by the MDC aspiring candidate for Mberengwa East, Sekei Holland, in her vehicles.
(No details are given of the injuries suffered).
In mid April in Gokwe MDC youths damaged a Zanu (PF) truck. 11 MDC members were
arrested in connection with this incident.
Other incidents
Details of other incidents reported in
this area..
Report of MDC violence
The following incidents were reported in the Sunday Mail on 11 June.
28 April Evans Ruzvidzo the MDC district co-ordinator in the company of MDC youths
threw petrol bombs at 40 Zanu (PF) youths in Mushamavale suburb in Kadoma. The Zanu (PF)
youths were distributing campaign pamphlets. As a result Zanu (PF) flags and campaign
literature valued at $13 200 were destroyed. TOP |