POLITICAL VIOLENCE REPORT 17-28 FEBRUARY 2002

Overview

Zimbabwe’s political environment is one in which the opposition has been unable to undertake any meaningful campaign in the rural areas due to massive intimidation and physical violence. There are specific areas which are off limits to the opposition. It has not been possible for the opposition to campaign in Mount Darwin North and South, Guruve and Shamva in Mashonaland Central; Uzumba Marambe Pfungwe in Mashonaland East.

A list of alleged perpetrators has been appended to this report. These are alleged perpetrators in incidents reported directly by victims to the Human Rights Forum and its partner organisations from January 2001 to date. Some of the persons on the list are those that benefited from the October 2000 Presidential Amnesty for perpetrators of political violence.

Cumulative Totals 1 January 2002 – 28 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.

Budiriro

28 February 2002

T.D:     “On 28 February I had gone to Harare to be trained as an MDC polling agent. A group of policemen and Zanu-PF supporters came and attacked us during our training. I was beaten with a baton stick.”

27 February 2002

D.D:     “A group of Zanu-PF men came to my house and ordered me out. One tripped me and I fell. They then beat me all over the body with clenched fists, baton sticks and iron rods for about an hour. I then pretended to pass out and so they left me. I then ran into the maize field where I spent the night.”

27 February 2002

L.S:    “Soldiers came to a bar in Budiriro and beat us up with iron bars. I ran away and am now staying at my friend’s house in Budiriro 4 because I too was afraid to go to my home."

Buhera North

February 2002

·     Plaxedes Magandari, a Zanu-PF member, was abducted by 7 MDC youths in a blue Toyota pick-up. The youths approached her and dragged her into the truck. She was quizzed about her political affiliation and which party she intended to vote for. She was not assaulted but she was detained overnight and released the following morning.

15 February 2002

·     BC’s homestead in Chihyadza area, Buhera was visited by a group of Zanu-PF supporters.  They broke down his door when he refused to open it and he fled.  On 17 February he met some of the same gang and they abducted him and took him to their base in Rutowo, beating him all the way.  They asked for his card and I.D. and one of them (identified) confiscated his I.D.  They carried on the beating at the base and he managed to escape when they went to eat.  He was beaten all over, sustaining serious bruising on his left hand above the wrist and has diminished hearing from being hit on the right ear.

Bulawayo

26 February 2002

·         Eight ZANU-PF supporters stoned a man to death at a nightclub in the city. The incident started after the eight party members ordered two men sharing a mug of opaque beer to show them their ZANU-PF party membership and national identity cards. After the victim said he had left his documents at home the youths kicked the beer mug, spilling the beer and a fight ensued.

Bulawayo South

9 February 2002

·     An unnamed resident in Nketa was force-marched to Nketa hall. He was assaulted by the youths and sustained a deep cut on his forehead and was taken to Mpilo Hospital for treatment.

9-10 February 2002

·     An unnamed woman from Bellvue in Bulawayo was gang raped by three youths suspected to be part of the Zanu-PF militia camped at Nketa 8 hall.
The police at Donnington confirmed that they received the report but declined to give details.
The toyi-toying youths smashed the windowpanes of a family’s home with stones. Three of the group then forced their way into the house and to the bedroom where the victim was sleeping. One of them ordered her back onto the bed and raped her once before the other two took turns to rape her using condoms.

Chegutu

27 February 2002

S.G:     “I was at a local hall in Chegutu when Zanu-PF supporters confronted me and accused me of being an MDC supporter. They assaulted me with a knobkerrie on my chest and then struck me with a burning piece of firewood on my chest, face and both my arms.”

Chimanimani

February 2002

·     Judith Chikavanga, the MDC secretary for Chimanimani, received death threats from a senior member of the state security services.

·     Lazarus Manhanga, MDC youth Chairman for Guhune Ward, Nhedziwa, was assaulted by 30 Zanu-PF supporters accompanied by two policemen.

16 February 2002

·     Lovemore Mbiri, a security guard at the MDC offices, was abducted and assaulted by six members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
Police in Chimanimani declined to record Mbiri’s statement.
Mbiri was dragged from the MDC office to a nearby durawall where he was reportedly assaulted. He was accused of wearing an MDC t-shirt and guarding the opposition party’s offices.

25 February 2002

·     Gilbert Undenge, Howard Sibanda, Elijah Chitango and Tsopo Taona fled Rusiti High where they teach after receiving death threats from suspected soldiers, CIO agents, war veterans and ZANU-PF youths. Joseph Mwale and Major Zephania Mutisi led the group. ZANU-PF led by Major Mutisi organised a rally at the school on 21/02/2002 and ordered all villagers to attend. The four accused of being MDC supporters were threatened with death if they did not leave the school. The teachers defied them and stayed at the school only going into hiding after Undenge’s home was attacked. The teacher was told to leave the school or he would be killed. When he refused to go he was further threatened by Mutisi when the two met at Ngorima Business Centre. On Sunday 24 February 2002 a group of 60 war veterans and ZANU-PF youths went and stoned his house shattering all the windows when he refused to come out of his house. The next day soldiers and members of the CIO led by Joseph Mwale threatened to kill all the teachers if they did not comply with the war veteran’s orders.

Chinhoyi

20 February 2002

·     Zanu-PF supporters attacked the MDC offices in Chinhoyi and took away a Mazda B2200 truck.
The police arrested 33 MDC supporters over the incident.
In undertaking the attack the Zanu-PF supporters disrupted the training of 40 MDC polling agents. They came in two busloads and stoned the office, damaging windows and furniture.

24 February 2002

·     Three election observers were injured when their convoy was attacked by Zanu-PF youths. The three who were part of a team of SADC Parliamentary Forum observers were coming from the Chinhoyi town. The youths who were on a bus parked by the roadside threw stones at the observers’ convoy.

·     Isaac Mazorodze (MDC District chairman) and Ian Thompson had their homes damaged by ZANU-PF supporters. About 200 ZANU-PF supporters who were travelling in a Chinhoyi municipal vehicle attacked the MDC members’ houses.

28 February 2002

·     Two workers at Belltrees Farm had their ID’s taken away from them by a militia of war veterans and Zanu-PF youths. They were then beaten with sticks.

·     In addition the militia stormed the butchery and accused customers and workers there of showing MDC open hand signs. The militia has set up a base opposite the store and butchery. A war veteran known as ‘Ziembi ‘ is said to be leading the group.

Chitungwiza

17 February 2002

·     BG was attending a MDC rally at Chibuku Stadium.  There was a commotion outside and he was sent to go and see what was happening with his friend.  When they were outside, two Zanu-PF youths came towards them with knives.  His friend escaped, but BG was caught.  He was attacked with stones and sustained injuries on his back, lower lip and head.  He was kicked on his left upper arm, and hit with logs on his chest and arms and has a damaged right ear, which has resulted in loss of hearing.

27 February 2002

·     Tafadzwa Musekiwa (MDC MP for Zengeza) and two unnamed victims had their homes damaged by about 200 ZANU-PF youths. They attacked Musekiwa’s home damaging part of the roof and shattering windows. The youths then attacked two other houses in the same area destroying windows.

Gokwe Central

17 February 2002

·     PN’s homestead in Gokwe was visited by a group of Zanu-PF supporters.  They beat him up and both his wives collected all his property into one room and burnt everything he owned.

Goromonzi

18 February 2002

·     MK’s house was visited by a group of 20 Zanu-PF supporters at 8pm while he was having supper.  5 of them approached him and asked him to go with them to the rest of the group about 80 metres away, slapping him all the way.  They questioned him about his committee and beat him with sticks all over his body and under his feet with baton sticks.  They beat him for about 2 hours, stole $1200 and then left him.  He managed to make his way home.  MK sustained severe bruising on the soles of his feet, right knee, both sides of his chest and on his face and eye.  He has deafness and ringing in his left ear.

20 February 2002

·     The farm manger at Delport Farm in Ruwa was arrested by the soldiers and Zanu-PF youths.
The farm, which belongs to MDC MP for Chimanimani, was besieged by members of the army and Zanu-PF who said that they were searching for weapons but found none. They however still arrested the farm manager.
The police in Ruwa said that they were not aware of the invasion.

Guruve South

24 February 2002

·     LS was going home in Kachuta’ with MDC pamphlets. He was stopped by Zanu-PF youths at Mbizi Business centre who went and fetched war veterans. He was chased and captured at Mikwinya Growth Point by Zanu-PF youths. He was taken to Chipfomba base where he was tortures with sjamboks, kicked with booted feet and made to run. The victim was suffering from headaches, dizziness, and pain on urination. The victim was detained for 9 hours. He was told that the torturers had been instructed to cut off his head and take it to the leaders of Zanu-PF

Gutu North

26 February 2002

·     Darlington Chizhande (MDC Chairman) and Farai Rushinga  (Secretary) were attacked by suspected ZANU-PF youths and were reported to be still in coma. The two were attacked after ZANU-PF supporters burnt down Crispa Musoni’s house.

26 February 2002

·     ZANU-PF supporters hurled petrol bombs at Cripsa Musoni’s house before stoning his shop at the growth point destroying property worth over $1 million. Musoni claims that the ZANU-PF supporters wanted to kill him when they threw petrol bombs into his home. The group wore ZANU-PF t-shirts and some were armed with AK rifles.

Gutu South

17 February 2002

The following report was sent in by HM of Gutu-Mupandawana:        “As from 17 February 2002, houses of MDC supporters are being attacked, day and night. People are beaten; their identity cards are being collected so that they cannot vote for their party.
These things are happening in places along Vhunjere Dewende Road in Gutu. Also in Magombedze, Munjanganja, Ranga, Mutambara and Tirizi. Some of these cases have been reported to the police but the problem is that the police collect the youths with their trucks and take them away but do nothing about the people who are actually sending the youths out on these attacks.
Bus stops are even being guarded by these youths so that no one will board a bus and be able to report these cases.
When the youths attack a house, they beat the parents first; ask for Zanu-PF cards, MDC cards, identity cards, passports and any document that has names and an ID number. They then collect all these documents and go away with them. The children are threatened, asked if they are MDC supporters and all sorts of other foolish questions.
Here is a list of the people who are doing these things: H. Nyandoro, the Ward 12 Councillor and headmaster of Vhunjere Primary School; S. Jokwe, a headmaster at Dewende Primary School; M. Musina a traditional chief; R Shambira Hungwe, a farmer at Wecherai Chidoma Farm; A Mamombe, a farmer; E Ruwocha Mutambnara, Mr. Murwisi, Mrs. Jokwe, Mrs. Masimba, H Bhaudi and Mr. Mudzingwa of Mutambura Village near Mutambura School.
Please do something about these people.”

28 February 2002

AM:     “At around 8pm some ±20 Zanu-PF youths went to the victim’s home and started to assault him with sticks and booted feet. He was accused of being an MDC supporter. They had Zanu-PF t-shirts on and were chanting Zanu-PF slogans. Having beaten him, they then left him leaving the victim for dead. The victim identified some of the perpetrators as Peza, Johwa Mahove and Tawanda.
The matter was reported to the Masvingo police station but nothing has been done yet.

Gweru Rural

13 February 2002

·     Conrad Ncube, an MDC supporter in the Vungu Small-scale Farming Area lost goods worth more than $1.5 million after his shop was burnt down by Zanu-PF youths.
A war veteran, Hapyson Maphosa who later fired shots in the air forcing MDC youths at the shop to flee, allegedly led the youths. The Zanu-PF youths then ransacked the shop, looting all groceries before setting it on fire. The incident occurred in the presence of a Zanu-PF councillor, Masothsa Dhlamini and the Zanu-PF district chairman.

14 February 2002

·     Diladi Sibanda had all the windows to his shop smashed as Zanu-PF youths descended on Lower Gweru Mission Centre.
The Zanu-PF youths went on a violent spree attacking homes and shops belonging to suspected MDC supporters after the rally.

·     Christine Gambiza had her homestead destroyed by Zanu-PF youths. The youths went to her home chanting MDC slogans and started pelting the windowpanes with stones. They then threw a petrol bomb into the house but it failed to explode.

Harare North

25 February 2002

·     CM was travelling in a commuter omnibus from town to Borrowdale. On passing through State House they were ordered to identify from amongst themselves a person who had whistled from the passengers in the minibus. The army officer was at the corner of Josiah Tongogara/8th Street. Another officer then came and started assaulting the passengers with a stick on the palms. They had their I.D.`s confiscated as ``punishment`` and were told to collect them at 5 p.m.

Harare South

14 February 2002

·     Zanu-PF supporters beat GC with clubs in Shamva in September 2001. He still has painful bruising on the back of his head.
In February he was standing with 3 others on the corner of Angwa and Nelson Mandela Streets when 4 uniformed police arrested them and took them to Harare Central Police Station.  They were questioned about why they were standing there.  They were beaten with baton sticks on the soles of their feet and were detained overnight. GC sustained severe bruising from falanga.

18 February 2002

·     BM was inside Harvest House (MDC Offices) at about 2 pm when the Riot Police came in and started beating everyone up.  They were using batons and hit her on the head causing her to bleed.  She was dragged to safety in the toilets by her friends, and was later taken to the Avenues Clinic.

·     ML was near Harvest House when a group of Zanu-PF supporters arrived carrying sticks and knobkerries.  They broke windows at a Boutique near Harvest House and Radio Limited.  The crowd tried to run away and ML fell in the scuffle and damaged his left leg.

·      JS was in Harvest House at about 1.30 pm when a group of Zanu-PF youths escorted by the Riot Police came in and began beating everyone.  JS was hit on his back, thighs and arms with batons.

·      NC was at the Town House when they were attacked by a group of Zanu-PF supporters carrying sticks and iron bars.  He was beaten on the head.  Eventually the police arrived and restrained them and he was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital. Zanu-PF supporters followed them so they retreated and eventually went to the Avenues Clinic for treatment.

·     GM was at the Town House for the nomination of MDC councillors.  They were assaulted by Zanu-PF supporters armed with heavy sticks, booted feet and clenched fists.  This lasted for about half an hour before the police arrived. He sustained heavy bruising on his face, a depressed fontal bone and loose teeth.

·     CM was with a group at the Town House for the nomination of MDC councillors. They were assaulted by Zanu-PF supporters at lunchtime.  CM was hit on the back of his head, on the left side of his face, the sides of his body, on his knees and across his back.  He had to be taken to hospital for treatment. 

·     HM was at Town House at midday when they were attacked by a group of Zanu-PF supporters.  He was beaten by a lot of people with clubs, sticks and booted feet.  He lost consciousness for 30 minutes and was taken to hospital for treatment.  He sustained bruising over his whole body and has a painful right side and arm.

·     OM was at the Town House to witness the nomination of MDC councillors.  They were assaulted by a group of Zanu-PF supporters.  He was hit on his right side and left elbow with an iron bar.

·     TM was at the Town House in Harare for the nomination of Councillors when a group of people wearing Zanu-PF t-shirts came and started beating people up.  TM was beaten with a log on the right knee when he tried to run away.

·      KC was at the Nomination Court at Town House, when he and the others were attacked by a group of Zanu-PF supporters Mvurwi.  He was hit by a half brick on his lower back and sustained abrasions and bruising.

·     EN was at the Town House in Harare at around 1 pm at the Nominations Court to witness the nomination of MDC councillors.  He was hit by an iron bar on his right hip and sustained severe bruising.

·     William Mapfumo, was assaulted by supporters of Zanu-PF along Samora Machel Ave. They accused him of waving his open palm, the MDC symbol, at them.
Mapfumo reported the matter to the police and identified the suspect but when the police tried to arrest him other Zanu-PF supporters mobbed them to stop the arrest. The suspect was left therefore to go free. Mapfumo proceeded to file a formal charge at the Harare Central Police Station where a Sgt Mapiye is handling the matter.
The rowdy supporters were travelling on a bus along Samora Machel Avenue when the incident occurred. Someone from the commuter omnibus Mapfumo was travelling in waved his open palm. The Zanu-PF supporters stopped the bus and incorrectly accused Mapfumo of waving his palm. He was dragged into the bus and was assaulted. Mapfumo was later released after they stole $7 900 from him.

19 February 2002

·     PC and a driver set of for Cranborne at 12.15am to distribute pamphlets on voter education for Zimbabwe Election Support Network and the ZW Christian Movement.  On arrival they were met by Zanu-PF supporters and War Vets who demanded to know what they were doing, and accused them of distributing MDC material.  They were beaten with sticks, punched and kicked all over the body, including under the soles of the feet.  They were made to crawl on the tarmac and beaten for about an hour.  They were then ordered to beat each other with sticks.  They were finally rescued by 2 uniformed soldiers, who took them to a building where they were interrogated further by soldiers.  An officer took them to Braeside Police Station to vet for any criminal conduct.  A representative from the Christian Movement was called and took them to the Avenues Clinic for treatment.  PC sustained bruising on his buttocks, soles of his feet and upper arms and had abrasions on his shoulders and right foot.

·     GM was putting up posters for voter education in Cranborne.  As he was leaving a church he was met by a group of about 50 people who blocked the road and asked him for some posters and he was accused of preaching politics in churches.  They took away his car keys and ordered him to remove the papers he had left in the church, which they burnt.  They ordered him and his colleague to remove their shoes and shirts and searched their pockets and the car.  They burnt their cloths and beat them all over the body with sticks, stones and booted feed for about an hour.  They were eventually rescued by some soldiers from Cranborne barracks who took them and their car back the barracks and questioned them about their activities and links to Amani Trust.  They were then made to report to Braeside Police Station and eventually collected by a friend and taken to Avenues for treatment.  GM received severe bruising and has a very painful neck, and left side of his chest.

24 February 2002

·     Mataga (ZANU-PF chairman), Aphios Dube  (war veteran) had their homes stoned by MDC youths.  The youths descended on Mataga’s house and accused him of mobilising ruling party youths to attack members of the opposition. When he expressed ignorance on the matter the youths dragged him for about 100 metres threatening to kill him. He was only saved from being assaulted when one of the injured MDC youth professed that he had not seen him at the scene of the attack. The youths later went to Dube’s home and smashed all the windows before firing shots at the opposite house belonging to another war veteran.

25 February 2002

·     A gang of ZANU-PF youths cashing in on the violent demonstrations by their party members in Harare’s CBD stole $3000 from a man they accused of supporting MDC. The gang stopped an unnamed man and asked for a ZANU-PF membership card, which the man produced. The gang allegedly forced him to join them in rounding up people for a meeting at an unspecified venue. On the way one of the youths accused the man of hiding an MDC card and ordered him to show them everything in his pockets. The youths seized $3 000 from him and ordered him to go.

27 February 2002

·     The victim was picked up while walking along Chiremba around 12 midnight. He met some policemen who took him to the police station. They alleged that he had broken into a house and stolen a TV. He spent the following day, Tuesday at the police station. Taken to cells at night. On Wednesday he was taken to a room and beaten knees, back, soles of feet, left ear and hand. The torture was undertaken using a rubber cane and electric wires. He was then taken back to cells and spent the night there. On Thursday around 11 am he was released and told to come back on Saturday at 8 am. Before he was released he was assaulted by two police officers, and one of the detectives, Zvaita, ordered him to expose his penis and asked him if he had an STI.

28 February 2002

·     BK was with others attending an MDC polling agents training in the city. Police officers and Zanu-PF supporters broke in and beat them up. The victim sustained broken teeth.

Highfield

15 February 2002

·     HM was at a MDC rally at Epworth and was attacked and stoned by Zanu-PF supporters. He sustained a tear on his lower lip and broken teeth.

Hwedza

5 February 2002

·     NJ was ordered by Zanu-PF youths to go to their office at Goto Township in Hwedza.  He was questioned about his position with MDC, and he denied any connection with them.  They ordered him to lie flat on his back and they beat him on the soles of his feet and was kicked on the left side of his chest and was eventually let go. He sustained severe bruising.  NJ can identify his assailants.

27 February 2002

·     Two MDC activists in Hwedza were abducted and assaulted after Zanu-PF supporters caught them with MDC campaign material in their possession.

Kambuzuma

12 February 2002

·     Samuel Mvurume, Zanu-PF Tongogara District Chairman, was threatened with death by MDC youths in the area if he continued to hold rallies.

Makoni East

February 2002

·     Passengers on the Mutare-Harare train are being harassed and raided by Zanu-PF militia.
Rusape police have denied that Zanu-PF supporters are harassing people, however, on 14 February 2002 police came in and foiled a bid by the militia to harass passengers. The police are alleged to have beaten the youths with baton sticks.
The militia are invading the train as soon as stops in Rusape demanding Zanu-PF party cards from the passengers. Those who fail to produce the cars are beaten up or forced to abandon their journey so that they can be disciplined.

16-17 February 2002

·     A group of suspected MDC youths went to Peter Vheke’s house and attacked him using stones and injured his knee. They then petrol bombed his four-bed roomed house, five thatched huts and a granary. The group then set fire to the Zanu-PF supporters Mazda B2200 truck.

·     Six men attacked Agatha Dzimano’s home, injuring her leg before petrol bombing her three huts. This followed the attack on Vheke’s homestead.

Marondera East

11 February 2002

·     BH was picked up at work by Marimo and Chistsaka over a dispute about payment of temporary workers.  He was forced to pay and report to the Zanu-PF offices, and a group of 40 people arrived on  a Sable-Range Tractor.  They beat him up, all over, and did falanga on his feet, then dropped him on the Murehwa road.  There are 5 witnesses to the beatings.

14 February 2002

·     IT was at the Manhise Business Centre at 11am when a group of Zanu-PF youths arrived singing revolutionary songs.  He knew most of them and went out to greet them and went back to the shop.  He was followed who demanded to know his name though he already knew him, and ordered him to come to their base.  He was made to toyi-toyi for about 4km.  On arrival at the base he was questioned about MDC, but said that he knew nothing. He was taken to a nearby disused house, had his shoes removed and his head covered with a blanket.  They beat him beneath his feet and over his whole body with sjamboks and logs.  He tried to run away but was recaptured and beaten again.  At about 5pm he was taken back to the base where an ex-combatant named Tsindi took him to a classroom where he was beaten again by 5 youths and kicked in the head and genitals.  The following day the army and police came and he was released at about 3pm. IT sustained severe bruising on his head, genitals, falanga on his feet and lacerations and abrasions all over his back, rib cage, thighs and buttocks.

·     DM was picked up at 3.50 pm by about 15 Zanu-PF youths including Maisire. He was beaten on buttocks, feet, back of head and threatened with having his throat cut. He was then thrown out of a moving vehicle and eventually taken to hospital for treatment.   He sustained severe bruising and damage to his head, shoulders, back, the back of his legs, soles of his feet.  There were 2 witnesses to the beatings.

16 February 2002

·     CH was walking from Nyemeni at about 2 pm when he was surrounded by about 150 Zanu-PF youths at the Marondera show ground.  He did not have a Zanu-PF card and was taken to a room in the show grounds and beaten with iron bars, sticks and sjamboks on his buttocks and under his feet.  He was also hit on the back of his head with an empty beer bottle which smashed into pieces and made to close his eyes and had bitter liquid forced down his throat.  He ran away with 6 others when the group went for toyi-toying.  He sustained severe injuries on his buttocks, feet, lower back, left arm, left jaw, and back of his head.

18 February 2002

·     NW was riding to work near Marondera at 7am when he wad met by a woman who asked him to go with her to the Zanu-PF base in town for questioning.  He obliged and when he arrived he was asked for his Zanu-PF card and accused of having put up MDC posters.  He denied this, but was handed over to a group of youths.  They walked him to a bushy area behind Marondera High School and they made him strip and then assaulted him all over the body with sticks whilst being pinned down.  One of them had a knife and stabbed him on the back, left buttock and both ankles.  They finally left him and he crawled for help.  His employer came to collect him and took him to hospital. He sustained multiple abrasions on face, left chest, right scapula; both hands and right foot and required stitching in 3 places.

25 February 2002

·     Two unnamed men are fighting for their lives after being tortured by seven ZANU-PF youths who left them for dead at a base behind Marondera High School. The two had the intials MDC carved into their backs. (Torturing victims by “branding” them with the initials “MDC” has been used on several victims in Marondera.)

·     An unnamed victim alleges that the ZANU-PF youth knocked on his door around 2 am and dragged him to a car. They took him to Kwashefu camp where he was beaten and cut with knives. He received more than 30 stitches on his back and face.

·     There were victims that sustained burns on his buttocks and could not recall how they were inflicted as they had passed out while they were being tortured.

26 February 2002

·     JM was asleep at home when he was woken by his name being shouted by 5 Zanu-PF youths outside his house. They ordered him to open the door and when he refused to they broke his door down. He ran out trying to escape and the youths fired several shots after him as he fled. He was shot in the elbow and the bullet exited through the forearm.

Marondera West

4 February 2002

·     In Muchakata Resettlement Area Zanu-PF supporters were reported as having assaulted villagers for speaking to South African election observers the day before.

·     Four people were tortured and branded with the initials “MDC” on their bodies.

15 February 2002

·     HC’s homestead in Chief Nenguwa’s area was visited by 10 Zanu-PF youths at 9am.  They told him they had been looking for him for a long time as he was an MDC supporter and they forced him to march to their base at Mahusekwa business Centre.  The mad him do slogans, sing revolutionary songs and ‘to carry Zimbabwe’.  They then hit him in the face with open hands and kicked him all over his body with boots.  They made him carry tractor weights weighing over 120kg that were so heavy that they damaged his back.  He was kept at the base for 3 days where he was kept in an empty classroom with no blankets and was beaten every day.  He finally escaped on the 17 February 2002 at around 7 pm.  He suffered severe injuries to his side and back.

24 February 2002

·     Workers from Brondesbury Farm were forced to attend a Zanu-PF rally at Wenimbe School. While the Zanu-PF youths were gathering the workers together they broke down a door to one of the worker’s houses. Another worker who tried to intervene was abducted and taken to their base at Myembi Farm and assaulted.

·     The victim did not return on Sunday and his employers reported him missing that night. Eventually a police detail was collected to help the employers rescue their worker. No arrests have yet been made.

Masvingo Central

February 2002

·     Tione Charumbira, was allegedly attacked by 15 MDC youths with knobkerries and stones while drinking beer at Pangolin Shopping Centre. The police arrested one person in connection with the attack and investigations are still in progress.

Mazowe West

18 February 2002

·     MM was previously assaulted by militia on the 27 January at 3 pm at the Mvurwi Community Hall and was beaten with stones wrapped in T-shirts.  He was treated at Mvurwi Hospital and then arrested by the Police at 10pm.  He was charged with public violence and detained in Bindura Prison for 17 days.  He is on $2000 bail and has a court appearance on the 13 March 2002. 
On the 18 February militia came to his home and assaulted him with sticks and booted feet all over his body and sustained injuries on his head, left cheek, back and buttocks and has infected eyes.  He also has a rash from lice infection from Bindura Prison.

19 February 2002

·     GM was previously assaulted on 27 January, treated at Mvurwi Hospital, and detained in Bindura Prison for 13 days charged with public violence.
On the 19 February he was with a group of 10 others putting up party posters along the Mvurwi Concession road at midday. A kombi and a small car stopped and the occupants assaulted them.  GM was punched in the face, neck and was dragged along the tarmac. He sustained injuries on his neck, left ankle and severe abrasions on his left forearm.

·     JC was putting up party posters on the Mvurwi Concession Road at midday when a group of militia stopped and assaulted them.  JC was made to lie down and they beat him with whips all over his body. He sustained injuries to his jaws and cannot chew.

·     TM was attacked with 10 others when putting up posters on the Mvurwi Concession Road at midday.  They found that the posters had been pulled down and started putting them back when a kombi carrying militia stopped and attacked them with stones and bottles.  He was injured on the left side of his chest.

·     SM was putting up posters on the Mvurwi Road with 10 others when a group of militia arrived in a Kombi and assaulted them with axes, stones, and iron bars.  He sustained injuries on both sides of his rib cage, the small of his back and had scattered abrasions all over his back.

·     MC was putting up posters on the Mvurwi-Concession Road with a group of 10 others when they were attacked by a group of militia who arrived in a Kombi.  They were hit with sticks, stones, bottles and iron bars.  MC sustained injuries on his rib cage and has an abrasion on his right shin.

20 February 2002

·     HC was accosted by about 30 Zanu-PF youths who came to his homestead at 7pm.  They demanded his Zanu-PF card and when he couldn’t produce one they assaulted him with their fists and booted feet.  He suffered injuries on his back, head, chest, shoulders and side, and has inflamed eyes.

Mbare West

February 2002

·     Zanu-PF supporters have set up a base at Frank Johnson Primary School where they have been launching a violent campaign in parts of the suburb and the rest of Harare.
The group of supporters are alleged to have demanded to use the school as a base from the headmaster. The headmaster called an emergency meeting with the teachers and told them Zanu-PF supporters would be using the school premises for some time. Parents are complaining about the development, which they argue will affect the normal operations of the school.

Mhondoro

16 February 2002

·     A group of Zanu-PF youths abducted CK and another person from his homestead at about midnight and took them to their base in Gora Township.  He was made to sing slogans until the nest morning when they were released.  They were taken again the following night, and made to chant slogans and released the next morning after being told to attend the meeting later in the morning.  He went to the meeting in Gora Township and their names were called and they were beaten in front of all the people at the meeting.  He was beaten over his whole body and sustained injuries on his back and buttocks, abrasions on his shoulders and chest and impaired hearing from being hit on the right ear.

Mudzi

27 February 2002

·     KZ is an MDC youth chairman in Mudzi. Some 5 war vets and 3 ZANU-PF youths came and forced him to go to their base at the local shops. He was being accused of advising MDC personnel to throw fliers around Mudzi. Ordered to sit down while they waited for one Mujuru from Kotwa. Around 11 am they started assaulting him with sticks and open hands.  They stopped and then managed to escape to a combi to Harare.

·     KZ identified his perpetrators as Charles Mutundumura, Vareta Stanford, Sithole

Mutoko North

13 February 2002

·     Zanu-PF supporters seized two headmen from a bus at the Corner Store.

·     ZRP Inspector Mbanga declined to comment on the investigations into the abductions, saying the case had been taken over ‘by others’.

14 February 2002

·     A further three unnamed villager were abducted from their homes in Hoyuyu Resettlement Area by Zanu-PF supporters.

16 February 2002

·     Ephraim Tapa and Faith Mukwakwa of Hoyuyu have been missing since they were abducted for interrogation at a base at Masvitsa School in the Hoyuyu resettlement area in Mutoko on 16 February.
The couple together with Raymond (Ephraim’s brother) and Morgan a cousin stopped at corner Store to buy food on their way to Masvitsa. They were surrounded by about 30 Zanu-PF supporters who demanded Zanu-PF cards. When they couldn’t produce them they were forcibly taken to the base for interrogation but the other two managed to escape leaving the couple at the base. Ephraim’s Mazda B1600 truck was found at the school on 19 February 2002 but the fate of the couple is unknown.

Muzarabani

15 February 2002

·     SM was on a bus from Muzarabani when militia stopped it at about 3 am and he was accused of belonging to MDC.  He was taken to the Zanu-PF base at Macheya Secondary School.  He was beaten with fists and given telephono.   He was beaten with sticks on his buttocks and under his feet.  He was released at 8 am and was given a letter to that effect. He sustained bruising under his feet and buttocks and has inflamed eyes.

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

11 February 2002

·     An unnamed businessman form Dema had his property damaged when Zanu-PF youths clashed with MDC youths. The youths who were wielding knives and iron bars also assaulted his wife asking about his whereabouts.
The matter was reported to the officer-in-charge at Dema polices post and they are still investigating the issue.
MDC supporters were campaigning at Dema Growth Point when Zanu-PF members intercepted and attacked them. A member of the ZNA identified only as Wonder allegedly led the Zanu-PF youths. Wonder instructed the militias to attack MDC youths it was during this that the businessman’s property was destroyed.

St Mary’s

8 February 2002

·     FS was in her house in St Mary’s at am when the police knocked on the door.  They refused to open the door, so it was broken down and they came and beat up the occupants.
They were taken to the police camp and only released at 4pm that day.  FS was beaten on the left side with a rifle butt and kicked in the abdomen with booted feet.  She has severe bruising and internal bleeding since then.

Zvimba North

24 February 2002

·     A convoy of MDC MPs going to Chinhoyi was attacked by ZANU-PF youths at an illegal roadblock. The youths briefly barricaded the highway in a bid to stop people from attending a rally in Chinhoyi.

Zvimba South

February 2002

·     Villagers in Zvimba are said to be living in fear following politically motivated attacks by Zanu-PF youths. Most of the attacks and abductions are targeted at suspected MDC supporters or sympathisers.
It could not be ascertained how many people had fallen victim to these activities but villagers said quite a number.

·      A couple from the area was recently abducted and severely assaulted. They were taken to Murombedzi Clinic where their condition deteriorated. They were later transferred to Chinhoyi Hospital where the husband’s condition is reported to be critical.

14 February 2002

·     Manyuchi Kaduku, of Zanu-PF, was severely beaten by five suspected MDC supporters. At Nyabira shopping Centre. The five were part of a bigger gang that was going after Zanu-PF supporters and removing the posters that they were putting up. The two groups had had an altercation before the attack. Kaduku was attacked when the other Zanu-PF supporters left him to put up posters at Nyabira Sopping centre. He was attacked with sjamboks and chains. Kaduku reported the matter to the police

Deaths resultant from political violence 1 January 20002 – 28 February 2002

Name, Political Affiliation if known, Date of Death, Province, Constituency

1.      BHEBHE, Newman (MDC), February 2002, Matabeleland North, Nkayi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21.  NHITSA, Takesure, (MDC), 20 February 2002, Mashonaland Central, Rushinga

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

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

24.  SHELTON, Lloyd, (Zanu-PF) 27 February 2002, Mashonaland East, Chikomba

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

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

27.  SIBANDA, James, (MDC), February 2002, Matabeleland North, Nkayi

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

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

30.  Unnamed, 26 February 2002, Bulawayo, Makokoba

TOP