09 June 2004

A report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

Inter-party violence continued to prevail throughout April 2004 and in addition disturbing incidents of intra-party political violence were also recorded in St Mary’s. Incidents of political violence also continue to be reported in areas and at times when there are no elections or by-elections being held or immediately pending. In Shurugwi (MIDLANDS PROVINCE) IM, a MDC supporter, reported that Daniel Nyevera and other ZANU PF supporters closed down her shop because she previously contested for the position of Councillor on a MDC ticket. They are said to be visiting her home, threatening her and her children with death. MM claims that ZANU PF supporters displaced him from Shurugwi on allegations of being a MDC activist. He alleges that he was also ordered to join the National Youth Service Training program and was threatened with death when he refused to do so. An environment prevails in Zimbabwe in which political violence has seemingly become a "normal" way of life.

In a display of unwarranted excessive use of force, LTC, a former General Secretary of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and a human rights activist was reportedly arrested and severely assaulted by police officers at Mt Pleasant Hall in Harare Central (HARARE PROVINCE), where he had gone to give a speech at the Education Rights Forum. LTC was reportedly struck in the face with open palms and clenched fists, and kicked in the back. The police officers are then said to have forced LTC into the Hall where other officers and security guards were waiting. For about 10 to 15 minutes they reportedly took turns to beat him before making him lie on his back and assaulting him with a broomstick as well as kicking him with booted feet. He was then ordered to kneel and was further assaulted on the ribs. He asserts that at Marlborough Police Station, to which he was subsequently taken, he was verbally abused, threatened with electrocution, kicked with booted feet in the face and on the mouth, and then accused of being drunk as he could not hold a steady posture as a result of the beatings.

While it is acknowledged that law enforcement agents may in certain instances find it necessary to resort to the use of a reasonable level of force in the exercise of their duties, the Human Rights Forum condemns the use of excessive force that is habitually used by officers of the ZRP when dispersing and arresting members of civil society gathered at meetings or participating in demonstrations. None of the force used in the arrest of LTC, as described above, was reasonable or necessary. We urge the police to desist from excessive use of force when making arrests and dispersing gatherings and to adhere to the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials which urge the application of non-violent means "as far as possible before resorting to the use of force." Furthermore we urge the relevant Ministry to ensure that police officers adhere to professional and restrained behaviour when carrying out investigations, making arrests or dispersing gatherings.

Post-election retribution, a well-established phenomenon associated with elections in Zimbabwe and documented by the Human Rights Forum since the June 2000 Parliamentary elections, was recorded following the holding of the Zengeza by-election on 27 and 28 March 2004. EG and AK, MDC supporters, purport that they were assaulted by Muzambi and other ZNA officers because they participated in the Parliamentary by-election campaign in Zengeza. JR’s home was also allegedly stoned by ZANU PF youths for his participation in the Zengeza by-election campaign on behalf of the MDC. MM, a MDC activist, claims that ZANU PF supporters assaulted him because he campaigned for the MDC before the Zengeza Parliamentary by-election. The Human Rights Forum reiterates its concerns regarding the impact that such incidents have on the prospects for free and fair elections in March 2005. Citizens should be free to belong to any party of their choice and campaign for any party of their choice without fear or reprisal.

Evelyn Masaiti, MDC MP – Mutasa (MANICALAND PROVINCE), Henry Chimbire, Stanford Bote and Zvamaida Nyaruwata were arrested on 17 April 2004 by police officers manning a roadblock in Mabvuku at about 12:00 hours. The group was travelling back to Harare from Mutasa where they had attended the memorial service for Ben Mwamuka, MDC Chairman for Mutasa District. Masaiti purports that they were accused of having brought MDC youths to Harare to cause chaos and of organising football matches in Mabvuku for MDC youths who later destroyed and looted property from a shop belonging to Sekesai Makwavarara, former MDC member and the Acting Executive Mayor for Harare. Masaiti asserts that she had no knowledge of the planned football matches which MDC youths in the area were holding.

Takesure Mushavire was reportedly arrested while having a drink at Mazodza Bottle Store around 12 midnight and assaulted him with clenched fists during the effecting of his arrest. He claims that the police beat him with fists and kicked him with booted feet all over the body, drove him around Mabvuku for about an hour, and then took him to Mabvuku Police Station, whereupon they further beat him with baton sticks. He alleges that he was forced to admit that he belonged to the MDC and that he was an accomplice of Masaiti in organising the soccer match in Mabvuku and in the looting of Makwavarara’s shop. Mushavire, who claims to be apolitical, denies the allegations as he and Masaiti had been arrested at different times and under different circumstances.

Oscar Pemhiwa, MDC Harare City Councillor for Mabvuku, was reportedly later arrested while relaxing with friends at Matongo Shopping Centre in Mabvuku, but was grouped together with Masaiti and accused of committing the same offence. The group was reportedly beaten by police at Mabvuku Police Station on accusations of inciting violence amongst the MDC youths who had gathered in Mabvuku that afternoon. It is reported that Detective Inspectors Dhowa and Dhliwayo took them to Harare Central Police Station the following day, 18 April 2004, where they spent the night. Statements were taken from the group the following morning (19/04/2004). The group was only taken to court on 21 April 2004, 5 days after their arrest, and they were charged under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) for inciting public violence. They claim that during their stay in holding cells they were assaulted, given no food and forced to sleep in filthy cells. It is reported that Masaiti is taking legal action against the Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi for unlawful detention.

Sources: The information contained in this report is derived from statements made to the Public Interest Unit of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum, statements taken by the member organisations of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum. (See last page for list of member organisations), newspaper reports, Justice for Agriculture (JAG), Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), Zimbabwe Community Development Trust (ZCDT), Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN).

The four elements of torture are:

1. Severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental
2. Intentionally inflicted
3. With a purpose
4. By a state official or another individual acting with the acquiescence of the State.

Those individuals referred to in point # 4 include the ZRP, ZNA, ZPS and the ZNLWVA (as a reserve force of the ZNA) and by any other grouping when directly sanctioned by the state.

Arrest by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) with no reasonable suspicion that an offence has been committed. Detention thereafter for a period exceeding 48 hours without access to redress through the courts or subsequent release without charge.

A kidnapping by a member(s) of an organised group that is not the ZRP, political party, ZNLWVA, ZNA, MDC, Zanu PF etc

Kidnapped persons whose whereabouts remained unknown at the time of reporting. Their whereabouts have still to be ascertained through follow up reports or further investigation.

These are incidents in which property rights have been violated. This includes arson, property damage and destruction and theft.

AIPPA – Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

CIO – Central Intelligence Organisation

MDC – Movement for Democratic Change

MP – Member of Parliament

NAGG - National Alliance for Good Governance

NCA – National Constitutional Assembly

OVT – Organised Violence and Torture

POSA – Public Order and Security Act

PTUZ – Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe

UMP – Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe

Zanu PF – Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front

ZCTU – Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

ZNA – Zimbabwe National Army

ZNLWVA – Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association

ZPS – Zimbabwe Prison Service

ZRP – Zimbabwe Republic Police

ZIMTA – Zimbabwe Teachers Association

ZUPCO – Zimbabwe United Passenger Company

• ∑Felix Mafa, Executive Director of Peace Initiative Survivors Trust (PIST), an organisation involved in the rehabilitation of Gukurahundi victims; Gorden Moyo, Director of Bulawayo Agenda, 3 leaders of civic organisations including ZimRights and a representative a coalition of churches claim that they were arrested on allegations that they were likely to cause trouble during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF). They were allegedly taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station for questioning. Police officers from the Law and Order Maintenance Section reportedly detained them for about 8 hours. Mafa asserts that the officers visited the PIST premises with a search warrant, looking for ‘subversive material’. They reportedly ransacked the library and took away about 200 books, which the organisation uses for research. Moyo claims that they were warned not to cause any disturbances that would embarrass the Government at the ZITF.

• CM, who was in the company of a colleague wearing a MDC T shirt, was reportedly kicked in the head and on his left eye and then beaten by ZANU PF youths when he and his colleague had gone to the shops to buy a newspaper. The ZANU PF youths, who were boarding a bus to take them to the National Sports Stadium for Independence Day celebrations, reportedly went on to beat people in the area indiscriminately. CM sustained bruises on the right side of the face and eye.

April 2004

• SM, a witness to the murder of Francis Chinozvina, claims that she is being intimidated by ZANU PF youths and that her life is under threat. She alleges that the youths are keeping her under constant surveillance and that they have threatened her with death.

April 2004

• ∑Leonard Zhakata, a Zimbabwean musician, claims that he was questioned for about 30 minutes by police officers at Harare Central Police Station, regarding the fact that one if his songs is featured on an album produced by "Zvakwana" a local civic pressure group. The song entitled "Ngoma Yenharo" was included on the album which is entitled "Red Hot Riot - Rocking The Regime into Retirement", together with songs by other Zimbabwean, regional and international artists. Zhakata asserts that he did not give the organisation permission to use his work. Zhakata further alleges that the police demanded to know where the group "Zvakwana" is based and who runs it. He told them that he was unaware of the organisation’s operations.
• ∑Raymond Majongwe, PTUZ Secretary General, alleges that he has been receiving telephone calls from state security agents, telling him to remove his music from the British-based SW Radio Africa. He also claims that he is being stalked since the release of his album ‘The Daily News’, which contains songs also reported to be featured on the album produced by "Zvakwana". He however asserts that he did not give "Zvakwana" permission to use his music.

• ∑Alois Dzvairo and other NCA members were reportedly assaulted by police officers during an NCA demonstration that they held in the city. The demonstrators were calling for a new constitution before the Parliamentary Elections scheduled for March 2005. The NCA members, who marched the streets singing songs allegedly retaliated to the attacks from the police by throwing bottles at them. The demonstrators allege that they were forced to disperse but later regrouped and upon doing so were reportedly further assaulted by three officers.

22 April 2004

• LTC claims that police officers severely beat him after they arrested him at Mt Pleasant Hall where he had gone to give a speech at the Education Rights Forum. LTC is the former General Secretary of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU). He was making the address as a representative of the Zimbabwe’s delegate to the International Youth Parliament and a human rights defender. He alleges that when he, JB and MC arrived at the Hall at about 17:40 hours, about 5 police officers and Campus Security Officers from the University of Zimbabwe were manning the premises, dispersing people who had come for the meeting.

18 April 2004

• MC, a MDC supporter, alleges that on the previous day, 17 April 2004, he and other MDC supporters had reportedly gone on a street campaign in Epworth chanting MDC slogans and mobilising MDC members to protest against the Independence Day celebrations. MC and the others had reportedly been dispersed by ZANU PF supporters for toyi-toying. At about midnight, men in ZANU PF t-shirts allegedly came to his home. They reportedly accused him of being a sell-out and said that he deserved to die. They allegedly proceeded to assault him with an iron bar. He purports that he bled heavily after he was hit in the head and sustained a deep cut. MC was allegedly left unconscious after the assault.

1 April 2004

• 6 ZANU PF supporters armed with iron bars reportedly went to the home of EW, a MDC supporter, at about 12:30 hours and demanded to see him. As the 6 men had never seen EW before, he was reportedly able to leave the house without them stopping him. He alleges that the men left a message that they would kill him if he was seen going about in the area.

17 April 2004

• RT, TC, GC, DC, GV, TC, TS, TM, PM, CN, TS, LZ, EG, CD (MDC Organising Secretary - Mabvuku), MG, PM, HD (Youth Chairman - Mabvuku), TF (Secretary For Security - Mabvuku) and BN, claim that CIO agents, police from the Law and Order Maintenance Section and some ZANU PF youths are hunting them down on accusations of having caused violence in Mabvuku on 17 April 2004 when MDC youths had gathered for a social soccer match. MDC youths had reportedly gathered at Chizhanje Stadium in Mabvuku for a soccer match when the police stopped the holding of the match. Some of the youths attended the match wearing MDC T-shirts. TS and other MDC supporters claim that they were forced to stop the game, that they were assaulted, and have since been in hiding as they were forced to vacate their homes. DC, GV and TC report that they have also been victimised by ZANU PF supporters and Chipangano (a militant group of ZANU PF youths) who have allegedly been visiting the homes of all known MDC supporters, on suspicion of having organised the soccer match. CD and PM allege that CIO agents are threatening them with death. RT claims that he was accused of leading the mob which looted a shop in the area belonging to Sekesai Makwavarara, former MDC member and the Acting Executive Mayor for Harare, and that the CIO agents are threatening him with death. He has relocated to Tafara.
• TN, a MDC supporter, alleges that he is being harassed by state agents on accusations of leading MDC youths in the looting of a shop belonging to Sekesai Makwavarara, former MDC member and the Acting Executive Mayor for Harare. He claims that they were dispersed by Inspectors Chigodora and Chihobvu and riot police officers with teargas and baton sticks when they arrived at the scene of their MDC soccer match.
• TM and SM claim that at about 15:00 hours when they were playing football with other MDC youths at Chizhanje Stadium, riot police from Mabvuku Police Station arrived, ordered them to stop, and indiscriminately beat them with baton sticks. SM fell and injured his right arm when he tried to escape.
• Evelyn Masaiti, MDC MP – Mutasa (MANICALAND PROVINCE), Henry Chimbire, Stanford Bote and Zvamaida Nyaruwata were travelling from Mutare when they were reportedly arrested by police officers manning a roadblock in Mabvuku at about 12:00 hours. Masaiti claims that the police interrogated her as to why she had dropped off some youths along the road. She purports that they were accused of having brought MDC youths to Harare to cause chaos and of organising football matches in Mabvuku for MDC youths who later destroyed and looted property from a shop belonging to Sekesai Makwavarara, former MDC member and the Acting Executive Mayor for Harare. Masaiti asserts that she had no knowledge of the planned football matches, which MDC youths in the area were holding. She asserts that she and the other MDC supporters had given three Harare-bound men a lift when they were returning from a memorial service for Ben Mwamuka, MDC Chairman for Mutasa District, in Mutasa communal lands, and subsequently dropped them off at a bus stop in Mabvuku when they arrived in Harare.

• At about 12 midnight when Takesure Mushavire was having a drink at Mazodza Bottle Store, a ZRP Defender truck allegedly drove up and the officers dragged him to the truck and then assaulted him with clenched fists before they arrested him. He claims that the police assaulted him with fists and booted feet all over the body, drove him around Mabvuku for about an hour, and then took him to Mabvuku Police Station, whereupon they further beat him with baton sticks. He alleges that MDC MP for Mutasa, Evelyn Masaiti, and 3 of her colleagues were also detained at the Police Station. Mushavire and the others were reportedly forced to admit that they belonged to the MDC and that they were accomplices with Masaiti in organising the soccer match in Mabvuku and in the looting of Makwavarara’s shop. Mushavire, who claims to be apolitical, denies the allegations as he and Masaiti had been arrested at different times and under different circumstances. He alleges that he was taken to Harare Central Police Station the next morning and was forced to sleep on the concrete floors with no blankets. TM claims that the police kept forcing him to admit that he had been with MP Masaiti at the time of his arrest, but he refused to do so as he claims this was not true. He appeared in court on charges of inciting public violence together with MP Masaiti and her colleagues. They were subsequently charged under POSA.

• At about 16:30 hours, the police allegedly arrived at a party that MM was attending with other MDC supporters and beat him. He purports that as he tried to run away from the police, he fell and was injured on the right ankle. MM is experiencing pain in the chest and ankle.
• FM is reportedly being victimised by the ZANU PF supporters in the area because of his participation in MDC activities. He asserts that his life is currently in danger.

1 April 2004

• About 10 ZANU PF youths allegedly broke into CM’s house and assaulted him and his wife with sticks and a plank that had spikes and nails embedded in it. CM purports that they also held a knife against his head. He claims that the assailants beat him because he had campaigned for the opposition party, MDC prior to the Zengeza Parliamentary by-election held on 27 and 28 March 2004. The ZANU PF supporters are said to have destroyed his radio, TV and stolen his boots. He managed to escape but he currently complains of pains in the chest and soles of his feet.
• MM is a MDC activist. He claims that ZANU PF supporters assaulted him because he campaigned for the MDC before the Zengeza Parliamentary by-election.

• It is alleged that soldiers broke into MM’s home at night and severely assaulted her husband. They are said to have looted all their belongings. MM’s husband has since been experiencing chest pains, a backache and a headache.

• CLT alleges that a mob of ZANU PF supporters came to his house at around 01:30 hours and demanded to see him. It is said that the assailants forced their way in and dragged him outside. He claims that the ZANU PF supporters beat him all over the body and on the face and then verbally abused him. He claims that the MDC T-shirt he was wearing was torn into pieces.

• ZANU PF youths reportedly arrived at the home of TG, a MDC supporter, ordered everyone out, locked the doors, and burnt the house.

• TY was at the shops with 7 colleagues buying some food when his fellow MDC supporters, led by Job Sikhala, MDC MP – St. Mary’s (HARARE Province), allegedly assaulted him on accusations that he no longer supported Sikhala. He claims that Sikhala arrived at about 19:30 hours with a group of about 20 MDC youths wielding axes, catapults and knives and then attacked him and his colleagues. TY was reportedly cut with a knife on the back while some of his colleagues were abducted.

• DC claims that Job Sikhala, MDC MP for St. Mary’s (HARARE Province) and a mob of MDC activists fired a gunshot at the car in which he and his colleagues were travelling. When DC got out of the car to ask why they were being attacked, he was allegedly hit with stones on the right leg and shoulder. He asserts that although he managed to escape, Job Sikhala abducted some of his colleagues.
• ∑It is reported that MDC MP for St. Mary’s, Job Sikhala, had his home attacked by MDC supporters in the area, after they disrupted a party he was hosting at the house. A clash between the legislator and the supporters is said to have erupted, and riot police were called in to restore the peace. According to party members, the skirmishes were a result of Sikhala refusing to campaign for James Makore, the MDC candidate in the March 2004 Parliamentary by-election in Zengeza.
• ∑Job Sikhala, (MDC MP - St. Mary’s), John Matienga and Leticius Nyakudya of the MDC are said to have attacked some MDC supporters who were gathered at a funeral at 100 Dengu Street. It is reported that the attackers arrived at the house in 2 trucks belonging to Sikhala, and Sikhala ordered Matienga and Nyakudya to attack the mourners. Enoch Tawonezvi, was reportedly stabbed with a screwdriver in the rib cage and one Chirimudombo Mabvuregondo was allegedly kidnapped by the supporters. Mabvuregondo was reportedly bundled into a truck, driven away, and then dumped outside the Doves Morgan funeral parlour in Chitungwiza. He was later found with multiple stab wounds all over his body. Sikhala had reportedly fired some gunshots to intimidate the people at the funeral. This followed an earlier clash at Sikhala’s house when some MDC supporters attacked him while he was hosting a party.

• 15 MDC youths led by Charlie Sikhala, the brother of Job Sikhala (MDC MP for St. Mary’s), reportedly arrived at DC’s house in the morning, with the intention of beating him. DC claims that the MDC youths later decided to retreat without beating him because they had become outnumbered by DC’s neighbours and workmates, who had come out to defend him.

1 April 2004

• PM was reportedly assaulted by ZANU PF youths because her husband is the MDC Youth Chairman for Chitungwiza. She is currently experiencing back pains.
• AK claims that ZNA officers are attacking him because he supported the opposition party MDC during the Zengeza Parliamentary by-election in March 2004.
• It is alleged that JR’s home was stoned by ZANU PF youths because she supported the opposition party MDC during the Zengeza by-election campaign. He has relocated to the Seke communal areas as a result of the victimisation.

• EG, a MDC supporter, purports that she was assaulted by Muzambi and other ZNA officers because she participated in the Parliamentary by-election campaign in Zengeza

• MM and other MDC supporters were cleaning up at the home of the late MDC activist, Francis Chinozvina, after the funeral, when the police arrived and allegedly accused them of having assaulted a ZANU PF supporter. MM purports that the police started beating people indiscriminately.

• ∑ZNA and ZRP officers reportedly arrived at Charleswood Estate belonging to Roy Bennet, MDC MP – Chimanimani (MANICALAND PROVINCE), in trucks, sealed off the farm and barred everyone from leaving or entering. They allegedly put all farming operations to a stop. This is despite a High Court Order served on the Ministry of Home Affairs, the ZNA, ZRP, and Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), barring them from interfering with the operations of the farm.

27 April 2004

• ∑Eleven NCA members were reportedly arrested by police officers at Mutare Railway Station, on suspicion that they were travelling to Harare for an NCA demonstration. Their lawyer claims that the NCA members were simply travelling to Harare but not for the demonstration. They were released the following day.

• GC, TD, and 23 other MDC supporters were allegedly ordered to leave Chikomba by ZANU PF youths who then threatened them with murder. GC and the other MDC supporters had been moving from door to door distributing MDC fliers. He claims that a fight ensued when they met the group of ZANU PF youths as they went about distributing fliers. GC alleges that ZANU PF supporters have since been visiting his home and intimidating him. GC alleges that the other 24 are reportedly still making plans to leave Chikomba because of fear for their lives. GC is currently of no fixed abode. TD was taken to hospital for treatment following an assault by the ZANU PF supporters.
• CD alleges that she was displaced from home by ZANU PF youths. She claims that the youths also assaulted her and that she sustained an injury on her right leg.

• EC, a MDC member, was reportedly approached by youths from the National Youth Service Training Centre as he was passing by Muzarabani Primary School at about 16:00 hours. EC claims that he was ordered to sit down and was beaten with a baton stick while the others kicked him with booted feet. He alleges that the beatings stopped later on after their leader ordered them to stop so that he could interrogate him. EC purports that he was ordered to vacate the area during the lndependence Day celebrations.

• CIO agents and ZANU PF militias reportedly approached SN and assaulted him for being sympathetic to the MDC. SN alleges that the assailants told him that he had no right to live in the area because he was a sell-out. He claims that they also threatened to chop off his head. SN reportedly identified Mike, Munangagwa and Manjengwa amongst the CIO agents.

• A group of National Service youths reportedly arrived at TC’s residence and ordered him to vacate his home. He claims that they also threatened to destroy the house at which he was a tenant. He was subsequently chased away by the landlord. He purports that the landlord threw all his property outside and said, "go and stay with Morgan, your president, in Harare".

• FN claims that Mudyiwa Gwazvo, a ZANU PF supporter, assaulted him on allegations of being a MDC supporter.

• ∑Jacob Tshuma and his wife Sicingeni were reportedly seriously injured when they were assaulted by ZNLWVA and ZANU PF supporters, on accusations of funding MDC rallies in the area. The two received treatment at St. Luke Hospital, and were later moved away for security reasons. Tshuma and Sicingeni had come from South Africa to see their relatives. The attack occurred a few days after the Nomination Court sat to confirm the nomination of Njabuliso Muguni (MDC) and Martin Khumalo (ZANU PF) as the 2 candidates for the Lupane Parliamentary by-election set for 15 - 16 May 2004.
• ∑ZANU PF and ZNLWVA supporters in a convoy of 8 trucks marked ZANU PF; District Development Fund (DDF) and Lupane Rural District Council, reportedly arrived at the venue of a MDC rally being addressed at Gomoza Village by Njabuliso Mguni , MDC candidate for the by-election, and disrupted the rally. Vehicles carrying war veterans and ZANU PF supporters reportedly moved in circles around the open space of the rally, entrapping hundreds of supporters who were listening to the address. Esaph Mdlongwa (MDC MP – Pumula-Luveve); Abednigo Bhebhe (MDC MP -Nkayi); Moses Mzila Ndlovhu (MDC MP –Bulilimamangwe North) and Jacob Thabani (MDC MP -Bubi Umguza) and other MDC supporters, who were present, stood their ground until the ruling party supporters stopped. The MDC MP and supporters claim that the ZNLWVA leaders alighted from the vehicles and ordered them to "abandon the rally and get away from the place". It is reported that a lone policeman had been assigned to monitor the rally and that he feared to intervene and watched as the perpetrators disrupted the MDC meeting.

• AM, a teacher from Gokwe and a member of the MDC, was reportedly assaulted by ZANU PF youths at his home because he was selling MDC party cards and distributing MDC T-shirts. He asserts that the youths also raped his wife. AM sustained a fracture on the knee and a deep cut on the head.

18 April 2004

• IM, a MDC supporter, reported that Daniel Nyevera and other ZANU PF supporters closed down her shop because she stood as a MDC candidate in the last Rural District Council elections. It is reported that ZANU PF supporters have since been visiting her home threatening her and her children with death. IM purports that the youths told her that she would die if she continued staying there. I M alleges that Nyevera, the trainer of the youths from the National Youth Service Training Centre in Shurugwi, has also threatened her with unspecified action. She has since left home and is seeking alternative accommodation.
• MM was displaced from Shurugwi by ZANU PF supporters on allegations of being a MDC activist and of having close links with the MDC Ward Election candidate. He alleges that he was ordered to join the National Youth Service Training program, and that when he refused to do so, he was threatened with death and ordered not to move about in the area. MM claims that as part of their Independence Day march, the ZANU PF supporters went to his home intimidating him and his family. He has reportedly been excluded from the Government food relief scheme as well as fertilizer aid from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB). Marvellous Madzivanyika was allegedly leading the ZANU PF supporters.

Full alphabetical list of reported deaths related to political violence 1 January to 30 April 2004 recorded indicating name, political affiliation, date of death, constituency and province.

The Human Rights Forum has now expanded its objectives to assist victims of organised violence, using the following definition:

The Human Rights Forum operates a Research and Documentation Unit and offers legal services through the Public Interest Unit of the Error! Bookmark not defined. (formerly the Legal Unit of the Human Rights Forum.)

Core member organisations of the Human Rights Forum are:

• Amani Trust
• Amnesty International (Zimbabwe) (AI (Z))
• Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP)
• Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)
• Human Rights Trust of Southern Africa (SAHRIT)
• Legal Resources Foundation (LRF)
• Transparency International (Zimbabwe) (TI (Z))
• University of Zimbabwe Legal Aid and Advice Scheme (UZ (LAAS))
• Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of the Offender (ZACRO)
• Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR)
• Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET)
• Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
• Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
• Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP)
• Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA)

Associate Members:

• Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ)
• Nonviolent Action and Strategies for Social Change (NOVASC)

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