Who is responsible?
A preliminary analysis of pre-election violence
in Zimbabwe
June 20, 2000

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Mashonaland Central
Zanu (PF) Leaders Launch the Violence

Chen Chimutengwende: Zanu (PF) candidate for Mazowe East
Only a week after the referendum vote, on 20 February, there was violence at Shutu business centre in Chiweshe. Zanu (PF) youths armed with iron bars assaulted MDC supporters, leaving three injured. Seven youths were arrested. The MDC candidate for Bindura was among the targets. He believes that the Minister of Information and Zanu (PF) candidate, Chen Chimutengwende, sent them:

They were saying: "Kill that guy, he is a leader of MDC". They were all wearing T-shirts with his name on them. Also the leader of the group was his brother. He is the main accused. They don’t have the same name, as that family use two different names. His name is Bernard Nyangoni.

A militia base has been established in Mazowe East and there are reports that Chen Chimutengwende is giving the Zanu (PF) youths grouped there money for beer and food. The youths are staying in Nzvimbo guest house. Although they are locals, it is said they prefer to sleep there because they have committed crimes in their home areas. There were 24 men and 3 women there at the time of observation on 10 June, when a Forum monitor witnessed the youths beating a young man on a bicycle who was said to be a stranger to the area. He was kicked and left on the ground and the bicycle was torn to pieces.   TOP