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Overview

Violence on an organised basis has continued without decline throughout the country. In most cases victims are abducted to bases where they are tortured and then released. These bases are springboards for militia operating in the area and also serve as torture centres. In medical assessments specific patterns of injury, particular to different groups of militia have come to light. (see list of reported bases at the end of the report)

Victim statements have increasingly indicated that the youth militia involved in organized violence of having received formal training in it. Internationally recognised torture techniques are being implemented as is the case at a Zanu-PF base at Mahusekwa Growth Point where wide range of types of torture such as falanga, focal beatings, and sexual torture have been used

It is of particular concern to the Forum that the use of sexual torture, in use in the run-up to the June 2000 elections, has resurfaced. This has included forced rape by men, witnessed by both the perpetrators and others, is being imposed on victims. The result of this in each documented case has been severe genital infection and marked psychological trauma. Sexual torture is not to be taken lightly as ramifications such as contracting HIV can be life threatening.

The Human Rights Forum reiterates the importance of noting that political violence involving torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment constitute gross human rights violations. These violations resulted in the death of eight persons in the fortnight under discussion.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in conjunction with the Registrar-General’s office has engaged in the illegal and unconstitutional deprivation of the right to vote of permanent residents of Zimbabwe ahead of the presidential election.

The government and the Registrar-General have alleged that only those granted permanent residency AFTER 31.12.1985 have the right to vote in contradiction to the Constitution of Zimbabwe which in Schedule 3 section 3(3) states:

Qualifications and disqualifications for voters

(1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph and to such residence qualifications as may be prescribed in the Electoral Law for inclusion on the electoral roll of a particular constituency, any person who has attained the age of eighteen years and who -

(a) is a citizen of Zimbabwe; or

(b) since the 31st of December, 1985, has been regarded by virtue of a written law as permanently resident in Zimbabwe;

shall be qualified for registration as a voter on the common roll.'

The rural population is being equally disenfranchised by having their ID’s confiscated by militia who have operated roadblocks or alternatively in raids on their homes. As these persons possess no other forms of accepted identification this appears to be wholesale elimination of eligible voters from the voters roll.

1-16 February 2002 Totals

Cumulative Totals 1 January 2002 – 16 February 2002

Sources: HR Forum legal statements, CFU reports and newspaper reports, Amani Trust medical assessments

Notes to Tables:

Unlawful Arrest/Detention: Unlawful arrests perpetrated by members of the police force and unlawful detentions by state agents, members of political parties and private individuals

Torture:

All cases under torture fall under the definition of torture according to the general definition of torture given in the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment.

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.

Displacement/Eviction: More than 70 000 persons were internally displaced since January 2001.

Cases of Violence 1-16 February

This report covers reported incidents of violence received during the period 1-16 February 2002.

Bindura

1 February 2002

·        BP was first beaten by Zanu-PF supporters last year on 26 July 2001 in Chiwandzo Township when he sustained injuries to his left chest and left elbow. 
On the 1 February this year he was in Budriro and on his way home.  About 30 people came from the fields and demanded that he did a slogan – when he asked what slogan they made him lie on the ground.  He refused and they beat him severely with iron bars and booted feet.  He eventually managed to crawl away to a nearby house and hid in their toilet.  When he later reported it to the police they told him they suspected the culprits were militia.  BP sustained multiple injuries on his face, head, back of his neck, both shoulder blades. On his left side, his right elbow and on his chest.

4 February 2002

·         WC was at Mupandira Village in Musana when 20 Zanu-PF activists came and demanded he come to their base.  He refused and they tried to force him, and in the ensuing struggle he was injured on his right palm and left knee.

5 February 2002

·         PM went to Nembire to see if they could return to their home.  When she and 2 colleagues got of the bus they were stopped by a group of about 100 men and women.  They asked her where she was coming from and they wanted to know if she had a Zanu-PF card.  She said she didn’t and they accused her of being MDC and force-marched her to their base at Chikwira.  They beat her with sticks and whips all over her body, particularly under her feet, buttocks and face. She was kept overnight at the base and was taken to Dotito police station at 6am and reported to the police that she had been terrorising people.  She was released from police custody at 4pm as they had no charge.

Budiriro

2 February 2002

·         Stephen Maphosa, a Zanu-PF supporter was struck on the head and fell off the top of the bus he was travelling on. He subsequently died after falling off the carrier.
Herald: The bus full of Zanu-PF supporters was passing by a group of MDC supporters when the deceased was struck by a brick and died instantly. Also reported later in the Herald as having died on admission to hospital.
Daily News: Reported the bus in which the deceased was travelling was ferrying Zanu-PF supporters to Budiriro, where they assaulted scores of residents accusing them of supporting MDC. According to residents the deceased fell from the top of the bus when the residents started hitting back at fleeing Zanu-PF supporters. Eyewitnesses said the police watched helplessly as the angry mob attacked the Zanu-PF supporter.

Buhera North

26 January 2002

·         At 2am in the morning a group of about 200 Zanu-PF supporters came to BM’s house armed with sticks.  They wanted her husband but he ran away.  They then came and beat BM with sticks and kicked her with boots on her head and body.  They wanted all her party cards and T-shirts.  She told them she didn’t have any, and they beat her again. 

February 2002

·         Marindire Wilbert, MDC district secretary for Buhera North, went  into hiding after alleged harassment by the police and soldiers patrolling the area. He was told to leave the area if he valued his life after he was dumped in Chivhu by a group of soldiers and told never to return to Buhera North.

·         Linda Moyo’s ID was confiscated by Zanu-PF youths in a late night raid on her home. The youths ordered her to come out of the house naked after they threatened to petrol bomb her inside. They assaulted her on her private parts accusing her of giving birth to MDC supporters. They then seized her identity particulars and told her that she would not vote since she was a known MDC supporter.

February 2002

·         Michael Muronda, an MDC activist, fled to Harare after losing his identity particulars to a Zanu-PF militia. Muronda claims that the perpetrators of violence in Ward three are well known.

5 February 2002

·         Elmon Dakacha was hit on the face with a bottle by two MDC supporters. He sustained a cut above the eye. The two have since been arrested.

7 February 2002

·         About 50 suspected war veterans and 15 Zanu-PF youths vandalised the premises and stole property worth more than $500 000 at the MDC offices in Buhera North. a war veteran is said to have defecated on an office typewriter before using the human excrement to inscribe ‘Vote Zanu-PF’ on the wall.
The case was reported to the officer-in-charge at Murambinda Police station, Muyambo, who said he will only attend to the case after President Mugabe’s campaign rallies in Manicaland. An unnamed policeman confirmed the incident and said that they were under strict instructions not to attend to MDC cases and that this is why such cases are not given CR (crime report) numbers.

8 February 2002

·         Tariro Nyanzira, a Zanu-PF supporter,  was brutally beaten to death and dumped into a stream by suspected MDC supporters.
Police confirmed the death as politically motivated and are still investigating the case. Initial investigations have indicated that Nyanzira’s murders lay in ambush around her homestead after she sheltered four fellow Zanu-PF youths who had been attacked by a group of suspected MDC thugs. After offering her colleagues refuge Nyanzira mysteriously disappeared soon after she left her hut to use the toilet.
Her body was discovered at the weekend with bruises floating in Mutorahuku stream.

·         Seven Zanu-PF supporters were waylaid and severely wounded when a group of MDC supporters attacked them with axes, knobkerries, knives, machetes, sticks, spears, bows and arrows.

Bulawayo South

February 2002

·         An unnamed Nketa Six resident was abducted by a group of youths who assaulted and blindfolded him before dumping him in Bellevue

9 February 2002

·         An unnamed 46 year old  man was kidnapped and assaulted by an unknown group of youths and suffered a cut on the forehead. No arrests have been made so far and investigations are in progress.

Bulawayo

5 February 2002

·         A group of Zanu-PF supporters impounded 45 cattle from Mtshabezi Mission. They were arrested on Tuesday. It was not clear why the group took the cattle but some locals believe that is because they were ‘punishing’ the American missionary minister at the mission, John Shank.

Chegutu

8 February 2002

·         In May 2000 ER was arrested by 50 Zanu-PF militia for putting up MDC posters in the Chambara Resettlement area.  They took him to the village centre and beat him for about 30 minutes with sjamboks and heavy sticks.  They threw him in the air and let him go and did the telephono on him (slapping both ears). 

·         On the 8 February this year MDC flyers were posted in the area, the militia once again went on the warpath for MDC activists and ER fled to Harare.

Chikomba

4 February 2002

·         Zanu-PF supporters based at Zvichemo Business Centre abducted Aaron, his father Nevis, his mother Linah, an aunt and three unidentified men. The women were later released but the men were severely beaten and were still detained by last Saturday.

6 February 2002

·         MNC (68 years old) was taken from his homestead in Nychoni Irrigation Scheme at 1am by a group of about 7 Zanu-PF youths. His wife and two other elderly men were also taken. They took him to their base at Gokomere Hall and he was accused of allowing his son to distribute MDC pamphlets from Harare.  MNC denied having seen his son, but was severely beaten with sticks through the night.  His buttocks were badly bruised and he sustained an injury on his right side at the base of his ribs.  He was detained by a soldier (who he knew) for 2 days and was made to cut grass with about 4 other detainees. 

Chimanimani

3 February 2002

·     Amos Makaza, was illegally detained and assaulted by soldiers camped at Charleswood Farm.
About 80 soldiers moved onto the farm which belongs to the MP for Chimanaimani Mr Bennet in October last year under the guise of peacekeeping after violent clashes erupted between war veterans occupying parts of the farm and MDC members. On Sunday they illegally detained the victim, stripped him and assaulted him.

Chinhoyi

8 February 2002

·         An unnamed man was assaulted by Zanu-PF youths who boarded the bus he was on when it stopped at the main terminus at 5 am. The bus was travelling to Harare from to Kariba.

Chipinge South

3 February 2002

·         Joseph Manyongaidze, Victor Manyongaidze, Garikai Chitemba and Peter Sibiya, all MDC supporters. Were abducted by Zanu-PF supporters driving a 8-tonne truck with number plate 563-247Z in Chipinge South.
The abduction was reported to the officer commanding Manicaland police, Senior Assistant Inspector Rudo Muchemeyi but no arrests have been made. The four are still missing.

Chiredzi North

3 February 2002

·         Two Zanu-PF supporters were treated at Mkwanise Clinic after five MDC supporters severely assaulted them as they left a beer garden in the area.

Chitungwiza

11 February 2002

·         10 MDC youths went to Dema and assaulted a Zanu-PF supporter who was wearing the party’s t-shirt. Three MDC youths have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Chitingwiza

8 February 2002

·         SP came to Harare in September 2001 as his father had been beaten up and his home damaged by militia.
On the 8 February he was arrested together with his wife and family at his home in Chitingwiza at about 3am by Riot Police.  He was taken to St Mary’s Police Station.and were kept there till 4pm.  The 7 men were then taken to Harare Central Police Station and the women were released.
While he was detained SP was almost choked and kicked in his chest.  The 7 men were then taken to Bindura Police station on 9 Feb. and they were immediately released.  The group walked back to Harare.  SP sustained injuries to his neck which make it painful for him to swallow, bruising on his chest and upper right leg.

8 February 2002

·         Riot Police broke into PM’s house in St Mary’s at 3am. Everyone was made to raise their hands and leave the house.  PM and his colleagues were bundled into a Police Vehicle (Defender) and taken to St Mary’s Police Station.  They were interviewed by the police who wanted to know why they had left their homes in Bindura and what crimes they had committed there. They remained there all day and were taken to Harare Central at 4pm.  PM was put in a cell and assaulted by the police who kicked him with booted feet and throttled him.  He was then taken to Bindura Police station were they were released without charges.  PM sustained severe bruising on his right side and chest.

8 February 2002

·         ND’s home in St Mary’s was raided by a group of C.I.O and Support Unit officials and was taken to St Mary’s Police Station. He was there until 10am the next day when they came to interrogate him.  They beat him for about an hour, and chased away ND’s lawyer (Mr Sikhala)  He was then taken to Harare Central and kept in the cell for the night with no food.  The following day he was taken to Bindura Police Station where he was released.

8 February 2002

·         SM’s house was raided by Police Support Unit (Black Boots) and some plain clothesat about 4am.  They shouted for her and her friend to come out.  She dressed and left the house and they beat her until her lip bled.  They were taken to St Mary’s Police Station and spent the day there.  They were interrogated about their relationship with Amani and MDC.  They were finally released at about 5pm.  SM has bruising on her right shoulder and a bad cut on her lower lip.

8 February 2002

·         CN  was picked up with her friend SM at their house in St Mary’s by a Support Unit and plain cloths men.  They broke down the door of her room when she failed to come out when called.  She was only dressed in her panties.  They beat her until she fell, then allowed her to dress and took her in the car together with the other tenants of the house to St Mary’s Police Station.  She wa interrogated about Amani and MDC and was eventually released at about 10am.   CN has bruising on her left loin, right knee and abdominal bruising.

Gokwe Central

10 February 2002

·         The police and members of the CIO blocked an MDC campaign rally at Gokwe Growth Point describing it as illegal. However the MDC had been granted clearance by Michael Majongosi the office-in-charge at Gokwe Police Station on the 4 of February.

February 2002

·         An 18-year-old woman was abducted and bundled away by a group of eight men in a Madza truck. She was driven gagged and blindfolded to a house where the gag and blindfold were removed. She was questioned about her father’s alleged training of National Service Youths at the Border Gezi Training Centre in Mt Darwin before being kicked out of the truck outside a company premise in Ruwa.

10 February 2002

·         RS was ferrying members of MDC to a meeting at Gokwe Centre.  His truck was stoned and all the occupants fled.  They were surrounded by Zanu-PF supporters who were angry because they were about to be addressed by the MDC party president.  RS was beaten all over his body and lost consciousness for about 2 hours.  He came go in a maize field and was helped by a good samaritan to contact with the others of his group, and to get to hospital.  RS was severely beaten and sustained multiple injuries.  He was beaten on his head forehead and jaw with 2 tears that needed stitching.  He had bruising on his neck, right forearm and left thigh and chest.  He was suffering from impaired vision and severe chest pain, a damaged jaw that required wiring.

Goromonzi

31 January 2002

·         OM was assaulted in May 2001. In January this year he was assaulted on the bus on his way home to Ruwa, 2km from Marondera by 9 people accusing him of being MDC.  They handcuffed him and took him to the nearby bush where they injected him in his back with a needle and some cold liquid, then beat him with sticks.  They robbed him of $5000, his watch and ID.  He managed to escape to the main road and got a bus going to Harare.  He got of at Ruwa and reported the matter to the police.  He was hit on the head, sustained serious injuries in the right eye and nose, chest, back buttocks, thighs, shins and right forearm.

11 February 2002

·         Listen Zhou was leaving Phillips Farm when he was stopped by 3 men who ordered him back to the farm.  He refused but they dragged him into a green Land Rover full of Zanu-PF youths.  Solomon Mujuru was present and he ordered LZ to get into the car.  They searched his bag in the car whilst driving to Goromonzi youth base.  Mujuru left and ordered that he be interrogated but not beaten.  They questioned him and beat him all night.  At one time he fell unconscious.  When he came to they burnt him with a flaming Daily News that he had been carrying. On 12 February Mujuru came back with bread.  They assured him that they had not beaten him. At about 11am, 2 men who said they were C.I.O then ordered him stand on one leg until he fell.  They left and came back at 1pm and took him to Marondera CID Section.  At 5pm he was taken to the Police Station and kept there overnight.  He collapsed in the cell and the police phoned the C.I.O. who took him to their office where they gave him a drink and tablets.  At about  11am they interrogated him again and released him at 2pm, warning him not to report. LZ suffered severe physical torture and has numerous burns on his back and chest. He had been beaten on the head, had a burn on his right ear and is suffering from impaired vision and headaches.  His mid finger on his right hand is swollen and painful, and he was beaten on the soles of his feet.

Guruve North

31 January 2002

·         MM was getting off the bus at Mashumbi Pools at 9.30pm when he was approached by 9 War Veterans and Zanu-PF youths who demanded to search his bag.  They found some MDC pamphlets and started beating him with clenched fists.  They then commandeered a baton from a security guard and took him into the bush and beat him till he lost consciousness. A Policeman was present at the beating.  He was unconscious for over 2 hours.  He came to at about 4am and crawled for help.  He found his bag but his money and clothes had been stolen. He sustained injuries on his head, his left knee, left hand and on the bottom of both feet.

Gutu South

28 January 2002

·         At 8pm a group of 20 Zanu-PF youths came to MAM’s homestead in Tonhoma Village, Nerupiya and asked where MAM’s brothers children were.  MAM said they were not there. They broke down the door of his house and beat him with heavy sticks and booted feet. He lost consciousness for about an hour and was left for dead. MAM was beaten on the head which has caused him visual problems and a pain behind the right ear.  He has bruising on his left side and right loin.

5 February 2002

·         Opias Ruwocha, an MDC supporter, in Nyamandi Village was allegedly robbed of $20 000 and property worth thousands of dollars when Zanu-PF youths raided his home.
The youths came at night, beat up his son before taking the money and property.

Harare Central

4 February 2002

·         Kennedy Mpomba, a prosecutor at the Harare Magistrate’s court, was threatened by suspected war veterans after being accused of having ‘zeal’ to prosecute ZANU-PF officials and ex-combatants. The matter was reported to Marlborough police station.
On Monday one of the suspects pointed a firearm at Mpomba when he had stopped at an intersection along Harare Drive in Marlborough. The man fled to their car only after Mpomba had produced his own firearm. The men sped off in a white Nissan Hardbody which is the same car that was used last year. In October 2001 about eight men in a Nissan Hardbody pulled up as he was opening his gate and threatened him. Mpomba feels unsafe and has asked to go on leave. Mpomba was granted leave of absence by the Attorney general’s office.

Harare North

5 February 2002

·         Tichaona, Katsamudanga, an MDC activist, was attacked by Zanu-PF supporters who took him to their base and died as a result of the attack on Tuesday 5 February 2002.

Harare South

9 February 2002

·         Joshua Machinga was force-marched into the Zanu-PF provincial offices in Fourth Street. There he was allegedly beaten up for refusing to chant Zanu-PF slogans.

Highfield

February 2002

·         Two unnamed Zanu-PF supporters in Zororo were reportedly attacked by two MDC supporters with axes, seriously wounding them.

Hwange East

7 February 2002

·         Two unnamed men were severely beaten up in Victoria Falls by a group of suspected Zanu-PF supporters after being accused of belonging to MDC.

Hwange West

5 February 2002

·         Zanu-PF militants damaged property belonging to Jelous Sansole, MDC MP Hwange West, at Cross-Dete Shopping Centre. They destroyed a fuel station, butchery, grocery shop, bottle store as well as his residence.
The officer commanding Matabeleland North Police Senior Assistant Commissioner Boyathi Ngwenya confirmed the incident and said his men were investigating.
Sansole lost property worth over $1 million.  it is believed that the youths were bussed into the area by two government trucks. There was about 200 of them.

6 February 2002

·         A group of Zanu-PF supporters ordered the closure of Ndangababi Primary School and intimidated the teachers. About 60 toyi-toying youths chanting Zanu-PF slogans closed Ndangababi Primary School after force-marching about 20 teachers to a base. The frightened teachers said they would not return to the school until after the elections.

Kadoma West

4 February 2002

·         Kizito Chaka, MDC’s district chairman for Kadoma West, lost property worth more than $2.5 million after his home was set ablaze by a group of armed Zanu-PF supporters.
The office-in-charge at Sanyati Police Station, Honyere, confirmed the incident but said no suspects had been arrested yet.
A group of about 80 Zanu-PF supporters led by three men in police uniforms besieged his home in Mapani Village at 2 am. They fired shots in the air before throwing petrol bommbs into the main house. After setting the main house on fire the group went on to torch a kitchen and cottage.

·         Elizabeth Munyaka was stabbed during the attack on Kizito Chaka’s house. Her condition was described as stable by hospital officials.

Kwekwe

2 February 2002

·         Two MDC youths were allegedly abducted over the weekend and gang raped at Zanu-PF ‘torture bases’ at Amaveni Community Hall and Chana Primary School in Mbizo. Blessing Chebundo the MDC MP  for Kwekwe said the victims had been transferred to a private hospital in Harare for specialist treatment.

4 February 2002

·         Felix Matsinde, a senior court official in Kwekwe lost property worth nearly $2 million after suspected Zanu-PF supporters petrol bombed his home in Mbizo Section 12.
The attackers gained entry into the house early Monday morning and doused it with petrol before setting it alight. The family who suffered minor burns during the attack has fled the Midlands city for fear of further attacks. Matsinde was particularly accused of allegedly denying bail to Zanu-PF youths charged with extortion.

5 February 2002

·         Edson Nyathi (MDC’s candidate for Gokwe Central in the 2000 parliamentary election), Ncube Richard, Mpofu Never were abducted and severely tortured at a Zanu-PF camp.
The three were only released when the police pleaded with the youths. No further details were available on the action that the police took.
A group of about 100 Zanu-PF youths abducted and force-marched the three to their torture base near Senkwasi Irrigation Scheme. They were completely undressed and tortured with lit cigarettes and red-iron rods.

Lupane

2 February 2002

·         Peter Nyoni (MDC MP for Hwange West), Jealous Sansole (MDC MP for Hwange East) were part of an MDC officials’ convoy that was attacked by Zanu-PF supporters as they were campaigning for MDC. The MPs fled and have since run away from their constituencies.

Makoni East

4 February 2002

·         Youths suspected to be MDC supporters assaulted three Zanu-PF youths in Rusape using chains and knobkerries.
One of the youths was arrested.
After assaulting the Zanu-PF youth, they harassed passengers of a Chivero bus before threatening to assault Chief Chiduku’s aide. The youths were stopped by a plainclothes policeman who fired warning shots to disperse them.

Marondera West

4 February 2002

·         PZV was arrested by about 35 Zanu-PF youths from her house and taken to Mahusekwa Growth Point.  They accused her of being a MDC supporter and beat her with open hands, and sticks all over her body.  She sustained injuries on her head, face, loins, and on the soles of her feet.  She was finally released at 5am the next morning.

5 February 2002

·         A group of Zanu-PF youths came to AN’s homestead at about 1am.  They forced him and his wife to march to the growth point.  There they accused them of being MDC supporters and beat them with iron bars, sticks and open hands.  They were released at 6am.  AN sustained injuries to his head, right eye, right upper arm, on his back, buttocks, right thigh and the soles of his feet.

·         A group of people came to LN’s homestead asking to see her husband.  They accused them of being MDC supporters.  They took the couple to Mahusekwa and were made to sit together with many other people. They also had their 7 year old grand child with them.  They were forced to lie prone and were beaten all over the body with iron bars. The next morning they were beaten again – the men were beaten more severely.  When they were released they were ordered not to go to the police but to return home.  They received no treatment.  LN sustained severe bruising on her buttocks.

·         A group of 8 Zanu-PF youths came to the Dhirihori Shopping Centre at 3pm.  They apprehended CJ and made him chant the Zanu-PF slogan.  They accused him of being MDC and made him lie down in a prone position and beat him with planks, wire and iron bars.  The police were present during the beating.  CJ received severe injuries on his head and face, on his back, his right buttock and right thigh.

·         DM was picked up by Zanu-PF youth from his house at 7pm and taken to their base at Mahusekwa. They made him hold a rock and stand on one leg over a period of six hours, with two minute respites, then made to resume. He was hit with a stick on his leg and was given ice blocks and made to chew them.  Later they made him lie on the ground with a rock on his chest, and slapped him in the face. He was released at 7am. DM has an injured hip joint.

·         CM was abducted from his home in Chitsaya Village by a group of about 15 Zanu-PF youths.  They took him to their base and made him lie face down on the ground.  The beat him on the back and buttocks with thorny sticks, and on the soles of his feet and fingers.  They let him go at 11am the next day.  CM sustained injuries on his back, buttocks, right ankle and has loss of function of his left thumb.

8 February 2002

·         TN was apprehended by a group of Zanu-PF youths when alighting from a bus in Rupere.  The group included Chaka, and Joseph. He was told that his name was on a list of MDC supporters.  He was slapped on both cheeks and pushed to the ground.  He ran away and sought refuge in Harare.

Masvingo Central

2 February 2002

·         Rosemary Mudyahoko  (MDC Party Administrator) and Solomon Ndlovu (MDC Masvingo District Chairman) were thoroughly beaten by youths from their own party who accused them of mishandling party funds. The youths were led by Samson Nheve and Luke Jeremani.

4 February 2002

·         A number of travellers were harassed by five Zanu-PF youths who put up an illegal roadblock along the Masvingo-Rupike Road demanding party membership cards. They were however later arrested by the police

7 February 2002

·         Henry Moyo (MDC vice-chairman for Ward 11)  was brutally murdered by suspected Zanu-PF supporters. His body was found floating in Mucheke after he went missing for three days. No-one has been arrested for the murder.

Mazowe

18 January 2002

·         KC was confronted by 30 Zanu-PF youths at the school where he works.  Then asked him to leave the area until after the election.  A few days after that they came to his house.  They beat him up and insisted that he leave.  His house and all his property was burnt and he fled to Harare for refuge.

25 January 2002

·         CM was on the bus from Muzarabani in the morning.  The bus was stopped by Zanu-PF youths at Mvurwi and they came aboard and ordered CM and a number of others off the bus and took them to the Zanu-PF base.  They tortured all of them with coca- cola bottles, ban belts, and broom handles, forcing them into strange postures.  The perpetrators were all drunk and used the money they stole to buy more beer.  They were kept in the base overnight and were released the following morning.  CM sustained injuries to his head, left eye, left ear, chest, buttocks and soles of feet.

2 February, 2002

·         AC was on the bus at Mvurwi when an ex member of MDC pointed him out to a group of Zanu-PF youths.  They chased him and took him to their base and beat him with iron rods, sjamboks, bottles and logs.  He was beaten for 3 hours until the police arrived and rescued him. He suffered severe physical torture: he was beaten on his head where he had 4 stitches, and all over his back and arms with train-track wounds.

7 February 2002

·         FS fled from his home area in Mubawatawa Village to Gombere village in Mazowe. 
On 8 December  he  was picked up by Zanu-PF youths who beat him with heavy sticks and dragged him across the ground.
On 7 February he received more threats and fled to Harare.

12 February 2002

·         PF’s was warned via a neighbour that he was ‘selling out the country’.  2 days later 2 men came to his house and threatened to kidnap him within the next 2 days. On the 12 February PF was on his way home from a funeral wake at 3am when he was apprehended in Dandamera Township.  One of them stuck a gun in his ribs and forced him into a white Land Rover with 7 men.  They drove him to the bush and he was told they wanted information from him.  One man stabbed him in the neck with a knife and another hit him on the head with an empty beer bottle. When he struggled, he was cut along his right eye with a knife.  He broke free and escaped and went to the hospital to have his wound stitched up.  He then made his escaped to Harare. PF has a swollen and painful neck and has had to have 4 wounds on his head stitched.

Mbare East

1 February 2002

·         Innocent Ndlovu and another unnamed victim  were forcefully taken from Mbare Musika by Zanu PF youths and taken to UMP to attend President Mugabe’s rally. They had to sleep in the open because they were not provided with transport back. During the night they were assauled by the ZANU PF youths who accussed them of supporting the opposition (MDC). They only came back on Monday after the police provided them with transport.

Mberengwa East

February 2002

·         Thousands of MDC supporters in Mketi Ward, Mberengwa East fled their homes last week as Zanu-PF youths intensified their terror campaign. They allegedly force schoolchildren and women to attend Zanu-PF pungwes.

Mhondoro

6 February 2002

·         Khape Kumalo an MDC supporter was killed by suspected Zanu-PF supporters.

Mount Darwin South

5 February 2002

·         GS was going to Nembire to collect polling agents.  When he got off the bus with his colleagues in the evening they were surrounded by a group of Zanu-PF supporters. He managed to escape with 2 others and hid in the bushes overnight, but 3 others were captured and beaten. The next day he went to the base at Nembire to find the other 3.  He discovered that his brother, T, and another woman (PM) had been severely beaten and CM had disappeared. He was caught by the group and beaten with sticks, logs, fists and booted feet and was forced to inhale large amounts of dust.  He sustained injuries to his right eye and jaw, and had severe bruising to his back, buttocks, and left leg.

·         TS was travelling with his brother to Nembire to recruit polling agents.  He and three others were caught as they got off the bus by a group of Zanu-PF youths and taken to their base at Nembire. He was kicked in the right eye, and was beaten on the head, buttocks, and underneath the feet with knobkerries, sticks, iron bars and hands.  They were also armed with axes.  In the morning they were force-marched to Dotito police station and handed over to the police.  The police warned them not to come back to the area.  Later the Officer In Charge got them transported to Mount Darwin and he managed to get transport into Harare.

·         CM  and 3 colleagues were apprehended by Zanu-PF supporters at midnight in Chief Nembire’s area in Mount Darwin.  They were asked to produce their Zanu-PF cards and their IDs but they didn’t have any.  They accused them of being a Zanu-PF supporters and forced them to march to a nearby shopping centre where they had their base. CM was assaulted with iron poles, sjamboks and baton sticks.  He was beaten throughout the night.  The following day nearby villagers were called to come and witness the assault.  Their pictures were also taken.  At around 9am Chief Chiweshe’s older brother and his aides came to pick him up and he was taken to St Alberts Business Centre and was kept in a room.  At around 12 pm, midday, a policeman came and told him that he should escape or else he was going to be killed.  He got away and hid in the police camp.  He stayed there until 7pm.  A policeman then escorted him from the police camp and he went to hide for the night in a nearby mountain.  The following day he managed to catch a bus into Harare. He sustained injuries on his face, back, buttocks, tesicles and the soles of his feet.

·         Shepherd Ngundu, an MDC supporter was killed by Zanu-PF supporters. Ngundu, a teacher at Sohwe Primary School was accused of being an MDC supporter and was beaten to death.

6 February 2002

·         WK went to visit his friend who he found had been arrested by Zanu-PF youths 2 days before.  When he arrived, he was stopped by the youths and asked for his Zanu-PF card.  He did not have one and was ordered to lie on the ground.  When he refused he was pushed down and they gave him 10 cuts with a heavy stick.  His arm is fractured and the left side of his chest is very bruised.

Mufakose

3 February 2002

·         AJ was burning old rags and mattresses from his childrens hospital.  The neighbours called the police who asked what he was doing and  AJ explained the situation.  Later he went to the shops and when he returned there was a mob surrounding his house.  They said they were going to beat him up as he was MDC. They broke his roof and all his windows.  AJ armed himself with a kitchen knife and tried to fend them off.  They grabbed him, threatened him, hit him with sticks, slapped and punched him and broke his arm.  They took him to the police where he was handcuffed to a stake and left there in pain and pleading for help until 3am.

Mutare

2 February 2002

·         Timothy Mabhuwu was arrested and detained at Mutare Central Police Station for at least five hours. He later released without a charge. Mabhuwu was carrying MDC t-shirts for distribution at a rally on Sunday

Mutoko North

February 2002

·         About 500 people had their identification cards confiscated by unknown persons travelling in 4x4 Toyota vehicle.

Muzarabani

2 January 2002

·         AG was abducted from his home at night by 4 men and taken in a car to a farm (thought to be called ‘Chidikamwedzi’ in the MZB forest).  He was beaten with sticks all over his body, particularly on his buttocks and put with a group of about 50 others who are made to work in the fields and deprived of proper food.  He was forced to have sex with a women whilst the others were watching.  They were also forced to watch war veterans having sex with some of the women in the group and men were made to have sex with other men.  He was kept at the base for 2 weeks then they took him and left him on the road to Centenary.  He found his way home, but fearing for his life he sought refuge in Harare.  His wife has now joined him and tells him that his house has been burnt down.  AG was very tearful and disturbed at the interview, had bad chest pains and an STD.

13 January 2002

·         CC went to Mudoka village looking for his cattle.  He was accosted by 20 people who accused him of being MDC because he was well dressed.  They beat him with sticks, batons, and hit him on his chest with a brick.  He sustained injuries on his chest, painful swellings on his left side beneath his ribs and his right wrist was swollen and deformed.

31 January 2002

·         CM was picked up at about 10 am from Hwata Township, Chief Hwatas area by a red Nissan pickup. One of the men in the vehicle had trained with CM in Harare as a MDC polling agent.  He pointed at CM and his colleagues saying they were MDC and they were apprehended by Zanu-PF youths and bundled into the truck.  They assaulted CM all over the body with open hands and clenched fists.  He was taken to a nearby Zanu-PF base in Chidikamwedzi along the Centenary road.  He had his hands and feet  tied together and was left for the night.  The next day he and his colleagues were put into another pickup and taken to Muurwi base at the bus terminus.  There CM was beaten the whole day with fan-belts, a machete (large knife) and baton sticks and was then made to sing Zanu-PF revolutionary songs the whole night.  At about 2am, two men came and made CM suck their penis’s. CM was very disturbed on reporting and had injuries to his head, soles of his feet, buttocks, small of his back, and shins where he was repeatedly kicked.

Nkayi

February 2002

·         A group of armed people some of them known former dissidents of the 1980’s disturbances have unleased a reign of terror in Nkayi. this has forced scores of people mostly MDC supporters to flee the area.

February 2002

·         25 MDC youths were badly injured during attacks in Nkayi. Most of them couldn’t walk and had to be ferried to Bulawayo.

·         An unidentified youth was strangled with a shoe lace by his attackers saying they wanted him to feel the same pain as Cain Nkala (Nkala is allegedly to have been killed by MDC youths in November last year).

·         10 people in Gwelutshena Village have lost their IDs  to unknown people.

6 February 2002

·         Abednico Bhebhe (MDC MP Nkayi), Peter Nyoni, Peter (MDC MP Hwange West ) and another 38 that were  were tortured and beaten up by soldiers while in police custody.The officer commanding Matabeleland North Senior Assistant Commissioner Boyathi Ngwenya denied that the MPs had been tortured but said that they had jumped out of moving vehicles when soldiers opened fire on their convoy. The MPs were arrested under the Public Order and Security Act for possessing specified weapons which the MP’s are alleging that they belonged to the war veterans that had set up illegal roadblocks.

9 February 2002

·         Soldiers deployed in strife-torn Nkayi district recently beat up scores of green uniformed Zanu-PF youths in retaliation for earlier attacks on their colleagues. The youths reportedly beat up off duty soldiers last week at a popular night spot in Nkayi, suspecting they were MDC supporters. The soldiers in turn raided several camping areas of the youth brigade.

Rushinga

16 January 2002

·         TM was going about his MDC business in Gwangwara Village  when he was abducted by 7 War Veterans.   They took him to their head office in Rushinga town.  They beat him for 2 hours and forbade him to go to the hospital for 10 days.  He eventually made his way to Harare for treatment.

Seke

February 2002

·         War veterans are auctioning farmers’ equipment under the pretext of raising gratuities for farm workers despite government’s directive that such equipment should not be tampered with before an evaluation is carried out. To date assets worth more than $120 million have been sold off. Farms that were affected include Alamein, Gwalia and surrounding farms.

Shamva

Mid December 2001

·         A group of 6 Zanu-PF supporters came to RM’s homestead in Chidembo Village, Madziva, and accused him of being a member of the MDC.  He denied this, but was stoned and beaten up with logs and booted feet.  He was left unconscious for about an hour and came to at Madziva Hospital.  He was sent a threatening letter on 2 February 2002, and on 5 February 2002 they burnt down his homestead.

1 January 2002

·         RC lives at the Bradley School in Madziva.  At about 8pm a group of about 320 supporters arrived at the school and called him out of his house. When he refused they stoned his house and his livestock pens.  He put his children in a safe place and made his escape.  He reported to the police, and when he returned with them he found his home had been burned to the ground.  He is living in the open.

1 February 2002

·         EM’s homestead at Kamdyariwe Village, Madziva, was visited by Zanu-PF youths at about 8 pm.  They demanded he come out and when he refused they began to stone his house and set 2 other huts on fire. The dragged out his son and began to beat him.  When EM ran out to help his son, they caught him and beat him using bricks, rocks, wire and their hands until he was unconscious (approximately 30 minutes).  He ran into another hut and they eventually left.  His son shouted after them that he had recognised some of them and called their names.  They immediately returned and beat him till dawn.  EM went to the police and was taken to the hospital for treatment. He was beaten on the head which has resulted in misted vision and continual headaches, and had a damaged left rib cage.

1 February 2002

Tsholotsho

February 2002

·         At least 50 people have lost their IDs in one of numerous raids that have become a common feature in Sipepa Ward, Tsholotsho. The group was led by Councillor Leonard Nkomo.

8 February 2002

·         Farm workers in the Solusi area had their national identity documents confiscated by war veterans when they failed to produce Zanu-PF membership cards. Earlier on they had destroyed the workers’ compound leaving scores of workers sleeping in the open.

UMP

28 December 2001

·         A large group of Zanu-PF supporters came to EM’s house in Muskwe Village at 10am. He is an MDC official, and they wanted to take him to their Zanu-PF meeting and beat me in front of their supporters.  He ran away, but fell into a ditch and was caught and beaten with sticks and hands.  He sustained severe bruising on his head, back , and ankle.

9 January 2002

·         6 Zanu-PF youths came to RG’s house and as he wasn’t at home, they left a message with his wife that he should come to the Muswe Township in Chief Muskwe’s area.  He took both his wife and his own MDC cards.  He met the youths and explained to them why he had bought MDC cards.  They assaulted him for being an MDC supporter by suspending him in the air and beating him with logs on his back, thighs, right hand and buttocks. He was also kicked him in the upper lip.

4 February 2002

·         SP had previously been beaten at a Zanu-PF rally on the 14 December 2001 at a Zanu-PF rally at Matsonga Primary school where he was called forward and beaten in front of about 2000 people. (He is a Zanu-PF branch chairman, but was beaten for participating in the Rapoko project.) 
On the 4 February 2002, 48 Zanu-PF supporters came to his home at Mapaya Primary School and dragged him from his house.  They beat up all the witnesses and then beat him up with clenched fists, booted feet and sticks.  They kept him under guard, taking him wherever they went for five days.  He escaped on the 9 February and came to Harare on the 14 February for treatment.  He has sustained severe chest pains and partial deafness in the right ear.

7 February 2002

·         TC, homestead was raided by a group of about 30 militia including armed policemen, Member in Charge, and a member of the C.I.D.  He was accused of holding illegal rally campaigns.  His house was searched for guns but nothing was found.  TC escaped, but was caught boarding a Kombi to Harare at Nhokiwa Business Centre.  He was pulled off the bus and kicked about.  He was then blindfolded and taken to an anthill where he was beaten with a stick on his buttocks.  He and was finally released and allowed to go with his wife.  He sustained severe bruising on his upper thigh and buttocks.

Deaths resultant from political violence 1 January 20002 – 16 February 2002 

1.      CHITEHWE, Mr, (ZNLWVA), January 2002, Harare, Hatfield

2.      CHATUNGA, Richard, (MDC), 20 January 2002, Masvingo, Bikita East

3.      KATSAMUDANGA, Tichaona (MDC), 5 February 2002, Harare, Harare North

4.      KUMALO, Khape, (MDC), 6 February 2002, Mashonaland West, Mhondoro

5.      MAPHOSA, Richard, (MDC), 20 January 2002, Masvingo, Bikita East

6.      MAPHOSA, Stephen, (Zanu-PF), 2 February 2002, Harare, Budiriro

7.      MAPINGURE, Atnos, , 9 January 2002, Masvingo, Zaka

8.      MATOPE, Kenneth, (MDC), 13 January 2002, Mashonaland Central, Guruve

9.      MASARIRA, Gibson ,(Zanu-PF), 9 January 2002, Masvingo, Zaka

10.  MIJONI, Simwanja, 15 January 2002, Midlands, Kwekwe

11.  MOYO, Henry, (MDC), 7 February 2002, Masvingo,

12.  MPOFU, Muchenje, (MDC), 19 January 2002, Midlands, Mberengwa East

13.  Munyaradzi (no surname given), 14 February 2002, Mashonaland East, Marondera East

14.  MUNIKWA, Isaac, (Zanu-PF), 17 January 2002, Masvingo, Zaka

15.  MUPAWAENDA, Takatukwa Mamhova, 16 February 2002, Mashonaland West, Zvimba South

16.  MUTEMARINGA, Fungisai, (MDC), 27 January 2002, Mashonaland East, Murehwa

17.  NCUBE, Mthokozisi, (MDC), 26 January 2002, Bulawayo, Pelandaba

18.  NEMAIRE, Solomon, (MDC), 23 January 2002, Manicaland, Makoni

19.  NGUNDU, Shepherd, (MDC), 5 February 2002, Mashonaland Central, Mount Darwin South

20.  NYANZIRA, Tariro, (Zanu-PF), 8 February 2002, Manicaland, Buhera North

21.  SANYAMAHWE, Kuziva, (MDC), 18 January 2002, Mashonaland East, Murehwa South

22.  SIBINDI, Joseph, (MDC) January 2002, Bulawayo

23. SIBINDI, Halaza, (MDC), 30 January 2002, Matabeleland North, Tsholotsho

24.  SICWE, Jameson, (MDC), 29 January 2002, Matabeleland North, Lupane

25.  Unnamed, (2), (farm guards), 23 January 2002, Masvingo, Mwenezi

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