Political Violence Report February 2005

MDC activists in Shamva were reportedly arrested for putting up campaign posters in the area and in Chimanimani, 3 MDC Parliamentary candidates were assaulted by soldiers on their way from the launch of the MDC Parliamentary campaign. All the above and many other incidents recorded herein point towards a culture of intolerance in which it is difficult to argue that the March 2005 elections were free and fair. Coupled with the above, an MDC training session for Parliamentary candidates and supporters was disrupted by the police who arrested the MDC Director of Elections, Ian Makone. Freedom of expression and freedom from political victimization are fundamental pillars for free and fair elections and failure to uphold these are failures to adhere to “the SADC principles and guidelines governing democratic elections^²”. The Human Rights Forum urges the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that every Zimbabwean can participate freely in the government of their country as articulated by article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human rights.

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association was violated in February when the NCA demonstration dubbed “no election without new constitution” led to assaults and unlawful arrests by police details who not only dispersed the demonstrators but also pursued and arrested some of them. In Bulawayo, WOZA women demonstrated to commemorate Valentine’s Day under the theme “the power of love will conquer the love of power”. After the demonstration, police allegedly arrested anyone they found in the area dressed in red and white clothing including Methodist Church women who were dressed in their red and white church uniforms and a 16-year-old girl who was buying medication for her bed-ridden sister. The Human Rights Forum condemns the manner in which peaceful demonstrations are quashed by the police and recommends that the government respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which it is party which stipulates that “everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association”.^³

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 a network of human rights activists and newspaper reports.

Notes to the tables:

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

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.

Note: The identities of victims whose names have not been published in the press and are not public officials are protected. This is done in order to protect the victim from further violence, intimidation and possible recriminatory attacks.

The purpose of this report is to record the nature of the politically motivated violence and intimidation that continues to prevail in the country. The Monthly Political Violence Reports are primarily based on victims’ accounts, accompanied by medical evidence where possible, obtained from a network of human rights activists. Use is also made of press reports on politically motivated violence. The Monthly Political Violence Report cannot therefore be considered as the exhaustive record of all incidents of politically motivated violence in Zimbabwe in the period under review. Nevertheless, every incident reported to the Human Rights Forum directly or through its members is meticulously documented and included in the reports.

The situation prevailing in the country is such that it has not been possible to verify all of these accounts. The Human Rights Forum has done what it can to verify the reports, and is satisfied that the vast majority of them are substantially true. It is also not possible to rule out whether a victim’s account is exaggerated or contains inaccuracies.

All reports derived from the press are denoted with the symbol ∑.

∑. It is reported that more than 50 women, including some Methodist church members, were arrested and detained by police after the Women Of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) members had marched in commemoration of Valentines Day. The WOZA members are reported to have held a peaceful march in which they distributed red roses and Valentine’s cards to Bulawayo residents. The march was held without police notification or permission as required under POSA. The theme of the march was “the power of love will conquer the love of power”. Apparently, after they had dispersed, the police randomly arrested any woman dressed in red or white. It is reported that, amongst those arrested, were Methodist Church women dressed in their red and white church uniforms and a 16-year-old girl who was on her way to buy medication for her bed-ridden sister.

∑. It is reported that police brutally assaulted a woman, Petra Visser, at a roadblock along Princes Road. A medical report reveals that the victim may suffer permanent injuries as a result of the assault. Petra Visser and her husband were apparently returning from a Valentine’s outing when they were stopped at a roadblock that was manned by more than 5 police officers. The police said that they wanted to search the vehicle. It is claimed that, after the victim’s husband stepped out of the car, one of the officers requested that Visser also disembark. Owing to a medical condition, she faltered and the police interpreted this as stubbornness. They dragged her out of the car and started jostling her. One of them reportedly approached her with the intention of conducting a body search, which she resisted since he was touching her breasts. She was allegedly punched in the stomach and she fell down. She was reportedly handcuffed and told that she was under arrest together with her husband whom they accused of driving under the influence of alcohol. They were reportedly taken to Milton Park police station where they were detained until early the next morning.

∑. It is reported that police disrupted a training session of 120 MDC Parliamentary candidates and MDC supporters at the Harare Sheraton Hotel. They allegedly arrested MDC Director of elections, Ian Makone, whom they held at Harare Central Police Station. The function was a strategic planning and training session ahead of the nomination court on 18 February 2005 and the launch of the MDC Parliamentary campaign in Masvingo on 20 February. Three plain-clothed police details reportedly arrived and demanded to sit in on the meeting. It is claimed that they then told the gathering that the meeting was illegal under POSA and that all those present should leave immediately or face arrest. Makone was released later the same day without any charges being preferred against him.

The 8 victims, two of them female, claim that they were involved in an NCA demonstration dubbed “no election without new constitution”. Two male victims and the two female victims were reportedly apprehended when riot police arrived during the demonstration and allegedly assaulted people at random using truncheons and baton sticks. One female victim was allegedly assaulted and lost consciousness. She claims that she later regained consciousness and changed her clothes before she went home where her landlord, having heard the story, is said to have evicted her. The other female victim was allegedly assaulted with batons on the back, buttocks and chest and she was later handcuffed and forced into a police truck. She claims that they were driven to Harare Central Police station where she was forced to give up her NCA campaign material and taken to room G23 where she was assaulted with rubber whips.

The two male victims who were arrested along with their two female counterparts during the demonstration were also taken to Harare Central Police Station where they were allegedly interrogated. The other three male activists reportedly regrouped in First Street Harare after having escaped the riot police but they were allegedly apprehended one by one by the police. One of them claims that, before he was assaulted, he was accused of stoning the police during the demonstration. He reports that some of the officers were teasing him with fists and open hands. He says that he was told to sit in a chair and put his naked feet on a table whereupon he says he was beaten on the soles of the feet. He was then allegedly beaten with a whip on the buttocks and kicked in the chest with a booted foot. The victim claims he was put in cells at around 17:00 hrs.

Another male victim was reportedly interrogated by 4 officers who, in the process, allegedly assaulted him with batons on the buttocks and on his back with a rubber whip and booted feet. He was also allegedly assaulted with fists in the abdomen and with open hands on the back. The third male victim claims he was taken into an interrogation room where four uniformed policemen were present. The victim states that two policemen interrogated him while the other two made notes. The victim claims he was beaten mainly on the back, chest and was booted in the chest. The victim was also allegedly beaten with rubber whips, slapped and punched with the fists in the face, head and neck. It is purported that when the police were assaulting the victim, they asked him to bend his head down towards the ground and raise up both hands. The police allegedly pinned the victim’s legs behind the knees and beat him thoroughly between the buttocks. On several occasions the victim reportedly fell but the police continued to beat him for about 20 minutes. The victim states that they were then placed in cells at around 19:00 hrs and denied food. The victim claims that he had some money and a ballpoint pen that were allegedly taken by the police who stated they were party property. The money amounted to around Z$75,000.

The last victim was apprehended while regrouping. He was allegedly forced into a police truck and again taken to Harare Central Police Station. The victim claims he was called three times before he was interrogated. On the fourth occasion, the victim claims that he was manhandled and told to kneel on the floor and was beaten on the buttocks. The victim asserts he was beaten with a baton on the right ankle and with a rubber whip on the buttocks. He was also allegedly slapped on the back of his head. He was then returned to where the others were being kept and on the 5th callout he was allegedly beaten on the soles of both feet. The victim claims that he was accused of masterminding a demonstration and was put into the cells at around 19:00 hrs. He was held there and released the next day at around 22:00 hrs. The 7 victims who had been arrested were released the following day after paying admission-of guilt -fines of Z$25,000 each. They were charged under POSA section 17^⁴.

Whilst coming from the marketplace, a female MDC activist was assaulted by 5 ZANU-PF youths who are known to her. The victim claims that the youths accused her of having left fliers in the area after which they assaulted her. She was allegedly assaulted all over the body with a metal weapon. She also claims that she was further assaulted in the face, on the right hand and kicked on the left side of the face with booted feet. When she tried to escape she was apparently tripped which caused her to fall. It is reported that the assault thereafter continued and one of the youths allegedly caught her in a stranglehold by the neck of her shirt and pulled her to the tarmac. It is reported that, after some time, she managed to escape when she pulled loose from the shirt and ran away. It is alleged that the youths remained with the victim’s shirt and money amounting to about Z$400,000.

A male MDC activist claims that while he was distributing MDC fliers in his own residential area in preparation for the 2005 March 31 Parliamentary Elections, he was allegedly assaulted. He apparently had to relocate in fear of further assaults.

On the day of the incident, the victim had gone to Mbare Market bus terminus to rescue a relative who was seen earlier in the day by ZANU-PF Youths greeting him. The victim claims he is a known MDC Youth Secretary. It is reported that, by the time the victim arrived at the bus terminus, a great crowd had gathered around the selling table of the victim’s relative so that he could not remove his goods. He approached the youths and tried to reason with them explaining their relationship but confusion allegedly ensued and the crowd tried to assault him. He reportedly fought back but the crowd eventually overpowered him. He was apparently taken to ZANU-PF Chipangano Base, where he was allegedly assaulted all over the body including on the neck, head, right hand and beneath both feet. It is reported that one of the youths tried to defend the victim by pleading with the other youths. The youth leader and another male reportedly approached and stopped the assault. It is alleged that the two arrivals apologized to the victim on behalf of the perpetrators and tried to persuade the victim to drop any charges offering him money for treatment. At around 20:30 hrs, the victim was taken to the bus terminus after being given Z$2,000 for bus fare. The victim claims he alighted from the bus and reported the case to the police. The police took the victim to Harare Hospital for treatment but the treatment could not be completed, as the victim had no money to pay for X-rays.

∑. It is reported that David Chipunza was attacked by unnamed MDC activists who accused him of supporting an independent candidate.

∑. At around 22:30 hrs 5 unnamed MDC supporters who were travelling in a Mazda truck reportedly approached a ZANU-PF supporter, who was wearing a ruling-party T-shirt. The driver reportedly stopped the vehicle and the whole group immediately disembarked and started to assault the victim with clenched fists. After the assault, the violators apparently drove off at high speed. The matter was reported to the police and investigations are underway.

∑. It is reported that Goodrich Chimbaira, MDC Parliamentary candidate for Zengeza, was arrested on allegations of holding an illegal meeting at his house. Chimbaira was apparently summoned to Chitungwiza Police Station on the pretext that some MDC youths had been involved in violence. On arrival, however, he was told that he had held an illegal meeting at his house. He was allegedly detained at Chitungwiza police station where police details there said they were waiting for officers from Harare’s Law and Order Maintenance Unit to deal with the case.

∑. It is reported that women and youths supporting Chitungwiza ZANU-PF Parliamentary candidate, Christopher Chigumba, are forcing people to buy ruling-party membership cards or face unspecified action. The residents in unit D claim that they have been forced to attend ZANU-PF meetings in the area. Chigumba, however, reportedly denied the charges.

∑. It is reported that a group of soldiers beat up Makoni East MDC Parliamentary aspirant (Pishai Muchauraya), Mutasa South MDC candidate (Edwin Maupa), Makoni West MDC candidate (Gabriel Chiwara) and other MDC officials as they returned from the launch of their party’s election manifesto in Masvingo. It is reported that the attack took place at about 18:00 hrs at Wengezi Business Centre in Chimanimani. The officials were at the centre when a group of about 50 soldiers disembarked from two army trucks and about 20 of the soldiers allegedly started assaulting the MDC members. Chiwara and his election agent, Joseph Munhumumwe, were reportedly assaulted and injured under the accusation of selling the country to the British. They went to Mutare General Hospital for treatment. The matter was reported to Mutare Rural Police and the case number is RRB 0412126. The police have since arrested people whom they claim were army deserters.

∑. It is reported that The Daily Mirror correspondent in Manicaland, Netsai Kembo, was arrested and detained for more than two hours under mysterious circumstances when he went to cover President Mugabe’s rally in Chimanimani. Although Kembo produced upon request his accreditation card, the policeman reportedly failed to respect the document even though it had been issued by the Media and Information Commission (MIC) under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The journalist was reportedly singled out from fellow journalists from the public media and led to a classroom at Nhedziwa Secondary School where two plain-clothes policemen took turns to interrogate him, suspecting him of operating for the foreign press. Kembo is said to have reported the matter to the police in Mutare on 28 February 2005 who, in turn, forwarded the report to their counterparts at Cashel Valley for further investigations.

∑. Drunken soldiers are reported to have assaulted 15 MDC members in Nyanga and, thereafter, frogmarched them to the police station where they were surrendered to the police. Three of the 15 sustained serious injuries. It is reported that the 15 were accused by the soldiers of holding a rally without army permission despite the fact that the party had apparently applied for and been granted permission by the police to hold the meeting. The 15 were reportedly released the same day after the intervention of a senior police officer, identified only as Ngulube. Of the 15, Steven Kavhura allegedly sustained a deep cut to the head and his spectacles were destroyed. The other two, Taona Bvunzawabaya and David Masaiti (a relative of MDC legislator for Mutasa North, Evelyn Masaiti), were allegedly assaulted. The supporters were coming from a rally in Ruchera village in Nyanga.

∑. It is reported that Mutare residents are being terrorised and requested to produce ZANU-PF cards by ZANU-PF activists. It is further claimed that residents can no longer move freely at night for fear of the activists who include ZANU-PF militia and war veterans. Some of the activists reportedly masquerade as members of neighbourhood watch committees before demanding ZANU-PF membership cards. In some instances the victims were apparently forced to pay money in order that they might be freed: if they did not pay they were allegedly assaulted. It is said that the harassment was designed to instil fear in Mutare Urban residents so that they would vote for the ruling party in the 2005 March 31 Parliamentary elections.

∑. Godfrey Chimombe, Mika Jack Jumbe and Cleopas Muchenje were reportedly arrested for putting up MDC campaign posters in Shamva. They were allegedly detained at Bindura police station.

A male victim claims that there were MDC Primary Elections at Nyakatondo Growth point. After the end of the meeting at around 14:00 hrs, the victim headed home. He was walking in the company of four other MDC supporters when it is alleged that about 10 people, suspected of being ZANU-PF youth militia, pounced on the victim whilst others shouted that the MDC supporters needed disciplining as they were causing havoc in the area. The victim and his colleagues are said to have fled but the ZANU-PF youths caught up with the victim and allegedly trampled on his chest and back. He was allegedly taken by his legs and dragged causing injury to his left shoulder. He was then reportedly left alone and he later proceeded home.

∑. It is reported that 31 ZANU-PF youths destroyed property, assaulted members of the public, overran a police base and stabbed a police officer in the process. It is alleged that a certain Shepherd Tsomondo addressed the youths on the day in question at Katanga Township in Norton after receiving information that MDC supporters were in the area. He allegedly asked them to follow up on the information. The youths then reportedly commandeered 3 private cars and drove to Nharira View suburb in search of the opposition party supporters. It is reported that they failed to find them and so returned to Katanga where they then allegedly attacked known MDC supporters, assaulted by-passers and forced shops and beer halls to close. Following the arrest of one of them, the youths allegedly went to the police base and attacked police officers on duty there, stabbing one officer in the shoulder. The police officers reportedly fled the base and the youths took over, where after other police units had to be called in to disperse the group. Tsomondo and the 31 were subsequently arrested and appeared in court where they were denied bail.

∑. It is reported that MDC youths, Lovemore Simango and Wilson Chirimudombo, were abducted by a group of ZANU-PF supporters and were taken to the ZANU-PF district offices where they were severely assaulted. The two were allegedly abducted while distributing campaign material. Simango reportedly managed to escape. It is claimed that Chirimudombo, who remained in captivity, was only rescued when a group of MDC youths went to the ZANU-PF offices and demanded his release.

∑. It is reported that Tendai Matsine and his wife were severely assaulted by Yvonne Gupa, Itai Jakobo, Shelly and other unnamed ZANU-PF supporters when they were found putting up MDC campaign posters. The matter was reported to the police but no arrests were made. It is alleged that the police openly indicated that they were following instructions from their superiors not to arrest ZANU-PF perpetrators of political violence in the area.

∑. On the day in question, members of the ruling-party militia reportedly assaulted 11 MDC activists who were putting up campaign posters at Reinham Primary School. The militia allegedly confiscated the posters and party regalia being worn by the opposition supporters and burnt the material.

It is reported that, on the day in question at around 11:00 hrs, the victim and others were celebrating at Gobvu village near the school, the victory of their MDC candidate in the primary elections. Some suspected ZANU-PF supporters allegedly infiltrated the group and started squabbling over food, which was being served at the time. On trying to maintain order, the victim claims that one of the twins among them assaulted him, hitting him on the head with a chair, before running away. The victim reported the matter to the police where he was given a clearance letter to go to the clinic. He was referred to Harare Hospital where he managed to get a hospital card but the doctor who attended to him allegedly refused to write an affidavit.

It is reported that there was a power failure and, as a result, the male victim decided to go to the shops to purchase some candles. The victim claims he went into the shop and, upon entering, a male friend of his asked him if he would mind waiting for him to finish his scud beer before returning together. While the victim was talking to his friend, it is reported that 3 soldiers, armed and in uniform, came into the shop to buy beer. As the victim and his friend left of the shop, 6 other people who are known to the victim also went out and they all decided to walk together. One soldier reportedly approached them and asked them if they had seen his colleagues. The soldier was told of the whereabouts of his colleagues and he joined them. He reportedly returned later, however, with his 3 other army colleagues and beckoned to the victim and the others to stop. As the victim and the others stopped, it is alleged that two more armed and uniformed soldiers approached bringing the total number of soldiers to 6. The soldiers accused the victim and others of being MDC supporters, which the victim claims he is not. The victim believes the soldiers beat them for no reason as they initially had asked if there was anyone among the victims who could fight with them.

The victim claims that the soldiers forced them to lie on their stomachs. It is purported that, at first, some of the victims refused to comply, thus infuriating the soldiers and leading to their taking branches off trees. The victim and others complied and they claim that they were further ordered to crawl on their stomachs while being assaulted with sticks for more than an hour until well after 18:00 hrs. The victim claims he was assaulted on the back of the head with booted feet. The victim and one of his colleagues reportedly managed to escape after they had quickly crawled ahead of others. As soon as they saw the chance, they stood up and ran away to the house of a Security Guard, where the victim claims he remained too weak to speak for about 30 minutes. The victim claims he was revived after water was poured over him.

∑. It is reported that rival MDC factions clashed outside a hall at the Masvingo Civic Centre where MDC President, Morgan Tsvangirai, was addressing one of the MDC factions. Several people were reportedly injured, among them two councillors. MDC councillor for ward 8, Mr Misheck Gapare, reportedly sustained a deep cut to his hand after he was allegedly stabbed with a knife. Mrs Francesca Sheha, MDC councillor for ward 3, reportedly fractured her hand during the clashes. Supporters of outgoing Masvingo Central Legislator, Mr Silas Mangono, allegedly fought running battles with those loyal to the party’s candidate for the March Parliamentary elections, Mr. Tungai Mathuthu, under the accusation that Mr. Tsvangirai’s bodyguards and Mr Mathuthu’s youths ganged up to assault Mangono’s supporters. Ackim Chigarire and Chanyau Murangwanwa were reportedly arrested on Thursday for alleged involvement in the clashes.

∑. Thembekile Moyo and other MDC supporters were reportedly attacked by ZANU-PF supporters while putting up campaign posters for Siyabonga Malandu Ncube, the MDC Parliamentary candidate for the area. The ZANU-PF supporters were allegedly travelling in trucks belonging to the ZANU-PF candidate for the area, Andrew Langa. All MDC posters were apparently removed from the shopping centre. Thembekile Moyo was allegedly struck on the leg by someone using a stone and he sustained injuries. It is reported that several of the perpetrators were arrested for the violent incident.

Full alphabetical list of reported deaths related to political violence 1 January 2005 to 28 February 2005 recorded indicating name, political affiliation, date of death, constituency and province.

MAIN EVENTS 2005

Monthly totals of human rights violations from 1 January 2005 to 28 February 2005

Zambia

Mozambique

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as the “Human Rights Forum”) is a coalition comprising 17 member organisations. It has been in existence since January 1998 when non-Governmental organisations working in the field of human rights joined together to provide legal and psychosocial assistance to the victims of the Food Riots of January 1998.

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

“Organised violence” means the inter-human infliction of significant avoidable pain and suffering by an organised group according to a declared or implied strategy and/or system of ideas and attitudes. It comprises any violent action, which is unacceptable by general human standards, and relates to the victims’ mental and physical well-being.”

The Human Rights Forum operates a Research and Documentation Unit and offers legal services through the Public Interest Unit of the Legal Resources Foundation (formerly the Legal Unit of the ZHRF.)

Address: 8^th Floor Bluebridge North, Eastgate, Harare; Telephone: 250511 - Fax: 250494

The International Liaison Office,56- 64 Leonard Street London EC 2A 4JX– email: IntLO@hrforumzim.com

1 Section 24 of POSA states that the organiser of a meeting should “notify regulating authority of intention to hold public gathering”

2 See Monthly Political Violence Report August 2004

3 Article 20 of The Universal declaration of Human Rights

4 Section 17 of POSA legislates against “public violence” and states that if any person or people forcibly disturb “the peace and security or order of the public or any section of the public or invades the rights of other people”, such person or people will have committed an offence

AIPPA – Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act	UMP – Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe
CIO – Central Intelligence Organisation	ZANU-PF – Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front
MDC – Movement for Democratic Change	ZCTU – Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
MP – Member of Parliament	ZNA – Zimbabwe National Army
NAGG - National Alliance for Good Governance	ZNLWVA – Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
NCA – National Constitutional Assembly	ZPS – Zimbabwe Prison Service
OVT – Organised Violence and Torture	ZRP – Zimbabwe Republic Police
POSA – Public Order and Security Act	ZIMTA – Zimbabwe Teachers Association
PTUZ – Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe	ZUPCO – Zimbabwe United Passenger Company

	January	February	Total
Assault	17	54	71
Abduction/kidnapping	2	3	5
Attempted murder	0	0	0
Death threats	1	0	1
Disappearance	0	0	0
Displacement	17	1	18
Freedom of expression/ass/mvt	31	57	88
Murder	0	0	0
Political Discrim/vict/intim	31	49	80
Property-related	0	0	0
Rape	0	0	0
School closure	0	0	0
Torture	1	5	6
Unlawful arrest	8	63	71
Unlawful detention	8	63	71

OVERVIEW

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 a network of human rights activists and newspaper reports.

Notes to the tables:

All reports derived from the press are denoted with the symbol ∑.

MAIN EVENTS 2005

Monthly totals of human rights violations from 1 January 2005 to 28 February 2005

Zambia

Mozambique

Botswana

South Africa