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

Contents   «    »

Bases
It must be stressed that the information about alleged bases derives from secondary sources. However, in some instances a number of people have made identical or similar allegations about particular bases and the identity of ruling party officials allegedly involved. Additionally, monitors have independently confirmed some these allegations.

Manicaland
Mutasa
Zanu (PF) supporters have set up a camp Gatsi township in tents. There are 25-30 of them staying there permanently, including war veterans and youths. Other people are being brought in from Holdenby to increase the local team. Mandi Chimene, the Zanu (PF) candidate for the area is said to be using her Defender vehicle to collect people and deploy them in the constituency.

Inyati Mine
There is a base here, near to the police support unit Manicaland Headquarters. John Mutasa, a member of Zanu (PF) central committee and the brother of MP Didymus Mutasa, has a business at the mine and the militia is staying there. He is in charge of their activities. There are reports that serving members of the ZNA are commanding this militia. They are said to be war veterans who have been picked for their loyalty to Zanu (PF). These commanders are not locals and are dressed in plain clothes, but they have been recognised by locals with similar backgrounds.

Buhera
There are militia at Birchenough Bridge who are using the Zanu (PF) office at Helani’s business premises as a meeting place. Beatings have also been administered at this office. They are responsible for serious intimidation in the area.   TOP