OVERVIEW

February 2007 can be aptly dubbed the “month of demonstrations”. In this month, many civil society organizations staged demonstrations at different levels. The NCA and WOZA held more than 2 demonstrations each, while students, the MDC and teachers, under the auspices of PTUZ, also held demonstrations. In exercising the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly, civil society organizations were met with brute force and repression by the state. Reports indicated that widows and elderly women in St Mary’s were brutally assaulted after demonstrating against high rentals and high water bills. The MDC also demonstrated against the Presidential elections being scheduled for 2010 rather than the original 2008. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum continues to implore the government of Zimbabwe to respect the right of Zimbabweans to assemble, associate and express themselves freely as enshrined in the Constitution and international human rights instruments to which Zimbabwe is a party. The Forum refers the state to article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which protects the rights of individuals to free expression and article 20 (1), which protects the rights of individuals to assemble and associate freely in a peaceful manner. These rights are also protected under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights - articles 9 , 10 and 11 respectively. The Zimbabwe government is obliged to abide by international human rights instruments to which it is party.

The MDC attempted to hold a rally on 18 February 2007 at Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfields but the would- be participants were met with repression and brute force before it could even take off. People were allegedly assaulted for trying to attend the rally and others who were close to the venue of the rally and had absolutely nothing to do with it were also brutally assaulted . Earlier in the month the police had imposed a ban on all “political gatherings”. This was an unfortunate development since the opposition MDC was campaigning for the 2008 Presidential elections. This is contrary to the rights of people to participate in the governance of their own country as espoused in article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

In what seemed to be retaliation for oppression and repression, some suspected MDC supporters were alleged to have assaulted police officers at Ximex Mall in Harare. Further to that, Municipal police officers were reportedly assaulted by vendors when they tried to take away the goods the vendors were selling. The Human Rights Forum deplores violence from whatever quarter and implores Zimbabweans to express their discontent in a peaceful manner.

Totals: 1 February – 28 February 2007

Cumulative Totals: 1 January – 28 February 2007

The graph should be read along with the table depicting the monthly totals of violations for February 2007. The total quantifiable number of victims reported in February 2007 is 362 .

Key Abbreviations

AIPPA – Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act ZANU PF – Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front

CIO – Central Intelligence Organisation ZCTU – Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

MDC – Movement for Democratic Change ZNA – Zimbabwe National Army

MP – Member of Parliament ZPS – Zimbabwe Prison Service

NAGG - National Alliance for Good Governance ZRP – Zimbabwe Republic Police

NCA – National Constitutional Assembly Association ZNLWVA – Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans

OVT – Organised Violence and Torture ZIMTA – Zimbabwe Teachers Association

POSA – Public Order and Security Act ZUPCO – Zimbabwe United Passenger Company PTUZ – Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe

UMP – Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe

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:

Torture:

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.

The four elements of torture are:

1. Severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental

2. Intentionally inflicted

3. With a purpose

4. By a state official or another individual acting with the acquiescence of the state.

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

Unlawful arrest and detention:

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.

Abduction/kidnapping:

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

Disappearance:

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.

Property related

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

Cases of Political Violence

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 member organisations of the Human Rights Forum and other partner organisations. Use is also made of press reports .Furthermore, in this edition we include reports on police violence in non – political matters. This serves to demonstrate the way in which violent actions of the state and state agents exceed their legitimate limits and powers; and which indicates an increasing and more widespread politicisation of violence. The Report should not 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. Care is also taken to record the incidents in the language in which they were reported to the Forum.

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 ∑.

Bulawayo

Bulawayo East

The Standard 18 – 24 February 2007

February 2007

∑. More than 40 students were reportedly arrested after protesting against the fee increases in state tertiary institutions. The peaceful boycott was disrupted by the police who rounded up student leaders. The students were demanding audience with the government officials so that they could deliberate on the students’ grievances. The students were also demanding that they be given grants that are higher than their fees so that they could buy materials like stationery. In a related matter that took place in Harare, ZINASU President Promise Mkwananzi and Secretary General, Maureen Kademaunga were arrested by the police. The two were picked up at Harare Polytechnic as they attended a students’ general meeting. Also arrested was Students Christian Movement of Zimbabwe (SCMZ) Chairman, Lawrence Mashungu.

Bulawayo North-East

6 February 2007

Seventy-Eight students were arrested and thirteen injured following students protests in Bulawayo. The protests were in regards to fee increases for tertiary institutions which the students were saying are too high. Seventy-six of those arrested were released in the evening and given instructions to report to Bulawayo Central Police Station the following day. Two students, Bulawayo Polytechnic SRC President Blessing Vava and the Vice Chairman, Lawrence Mashungu continued to be held in custody and were charged under POSA for instigating the protests. However, the charges against the two were dropped and they were released. One of the injured students sustained a broken leg .

Bulawayo South

7 February 2007

Eleven WOZA members, 8 women, 3 men and 2 babies, were reportedly arrested in Nketa, Bulawayo. They were about to attend a meeting which was disrupted by the police before it could commence. The WOZA members had assembled outside a church close to the proposed venue for the meeting after noticing that no one was at the meeting venue. The police allowed the mothers and their babies to be released into the custody of the lawyers for the night but the remaining WOZA members remained in Police custody overnight. Two University students who were close to where the WOZA members were also assembled were also arrested together with the WOZA members, but were released into the custody of their lawyer overnight.

Harare

Budiriro

18 February 2007

The victim claims that on the day of the incident at about 21:00 hrs they were at the Budiriro 1 shopping centre. The police reportedly alighted from a truck and started assaulting people indiscriminately ordering everyone to go back home. The victim was allegedly assaulted on the right upper eyelid . He managed to escape from the police.

Chitungwiza

The Standard 18 - 24 February 2007

2 February 2007

∑. POLICE reportedly beat up elderly women and widows demonstrating against high rentals in St Mary’s suburb in Chitungwiza. The women, most of them widows and grand-mothers who look after children orphaned by Aids, were protesting against the high rentals and the water bills. The protest ended in chaos as the police, armed with batons, descended on the demonstrators and assaulted them. Five of the women were arrested. The police spokesperson said the demonstration had been thwarted as it had not been sanctioned by the police. The residents marched after being addressed by Job Sikhala who is the representative of the St Mary’s constituency in the House of Assembly. Maria Nyamukapa, in her late 60s, was beaten up severely by the anti-riot police, among them female officers. The woman was rushed to Chitungwiza General Hospital, where she was admitted with serious injuries.

13 February 2007

The victim reported that on the date in question around 10:00 hrs, she was walking home from Chitungwiza Hospital when she saw people running away from riot police in the direction of Chitungwiza Head Office. The people had been demonstrating against the rise in fees paid for water and sewages, which had been effected by Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). The police confronted her and told her to run but she explained to them that she had not been part of the demonstration. They threatened to beat her up if she did not run so she started running. One of the police officers allegedly ran after her and started assaulting her with batons. She fell to the ground but he continued assaulting her and then she was arrested and taken to St Mary’s police station with five other people. After paying Z$250 fine, they were released.

Glen View

17 February 2007

The victim claims that on the date in question he was arrested by police in Glen View around 02:30 hrs. Ten policemen, 6 of them uniformed, reportedly threw stones on the roof of his house. He attempted to run away and he was arrested and was asked to show them Paul Madzore’s (MP for Glen View) house but he was not at his house. They later found him at Glen View 2 shopping centre sleeping in his car. He was arrested and they were both taken to Glen View Police Station after which they proceeded to Harare Central Police Station where the victim was allegedly assaulted with open palms on the cheeks. Around 13:00 hrs they were taken to Goromonzi Police Station where they were put in different holding cells. He was then taken to Juru Police Station and was detained there until Tuesday 20 February when he was released on bail.

18 February 2007

Two male victims claim that on the date in question they were at Glen View 1 Shopping Centre when one of them was arrested by the police and taken to Hatfield Police Station. They were allegedly assaulted with batons on arrest and one was further assaulted in custody. The other victim was allegedly assaulted with a baton twice on the back of the neck and on the left wrist but he managed to escape. They were assaulted following the failed MDC rally at Zimbabwe Grounds that day.

28 February 2007

The victim claims that on the day of the incident he went to the shops around 17:00 hrs with his 5 year old child to buy covers and books for his children. He was leaving the shop when 4 police officers surrounded him and started assaulting him and he fell down. His 5 year old child started crying and he tried to get up but the police beat him and he fell again. He got up and ran away and was allegedly assaulted with a baton on his right ankle. His child was caught by the police who were alleged to have poured acid water on him. He ran back and the police also poured acid water on him. The police then assaulted other people in the vicinity.

Glen Norah

18 February 2007

Three victims report that they were at Glen Norah Shopping centre. One of them had just attended the MDC rally at Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield. At Glen Norah shopping centre, police in a truck reportedly alighted and started assaulting people indiscriminately. One of the victims ran into somebody’s house where the police arrested him in and he was taken to Glen Norah Police Station where he was kept overnight. While at the Police Station he was allegedly assaulted on the back, buttocks and beneath both feet. The other victim was allegedly assaulted with a baton and fell on the tarmac in an awkward position. His right hand was injured. The third victim was reportedly assaulted on the back. He fell to the ground and hurt his hands, palms, knees and chest. The beating continued until he managed to escape.

21 February 2007

The victim, together with 6 other MDC members, was putting up MDC posters when he was approached by about 4 suspected ZANU PF youths who ordered them to stop putting up the posters advertising the MDC rally which had been scheduled for 24 February. The victim tried to flee but the assailants called up passers by who then apprehended him. He was then assaulted by a group of people who had gathered at the instigation of the assailants. He was taken to Glen-Norah police station where he was detained until the next day. He was then transferred to Harare Central Police Station where he was denied medication for the wounds he had sustained. The victim only attended court on 26 February, 5 days after the arrest where he was charged with assault. He was denied bail due to the fact that the complainant he was alleged to have assaulted was hospitalised. The victim was only given bail the following day on 27 February when the complainant failed to turn up, He paid Z$50 000 bail.

Hatfield

21 February 2007

The victim, who is the Organizing Secretary for MDC in Ward 7 in Epworth, was reportedly arrested for supporting the MDC and organizing violence. He was taken to Domboramwari Police Station where the police stripped him naked and tied him with iron bars and handcuffs. The perpetrators then allegedly assaulted him with batons all over the body especially on the buttocks and under the feet from 10:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs. He claims that the perpetrators secured him between two tables and assaulted him with an iron bar. He was detained up to 24 February 2007 when his friend gave a certain police officer Z$30 000.00 so that he would be released.

Harare Central

The Daily Mirror, 14 February 2007

13 February 2007

∑. Police thwarted a demonstration in Harare central business district by Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) activists. It is reported that between 60 and 70 demonstrators marched from Second Street to Nelson Mandela Avenue where they scattered pamphlets and the People’s Charter in front of Parliament building. It is alleged that the dispersement of the demonstrators resulted in the arrests of many women, including women with babies. The police said they had used minimal force to disperse the women. The demonstration by WOZA was held to mark their 5th commemoration of Valentines Day.

The Herald, 17 February 2007

16 February 2007

∑. It is reported that 4 police officers were assaulted and injured by alleged MDC supporters in Harare at Ximex Mall and Rezende bus terminus. One of the police officers was said to have been seriously injured. The officers were monitoring and patrolling the streets of Harare following intelligence reports of possible demonstrations within the City Centre. Sergeant Makora of Waterfalls Police station was reported to have been assaulted on the head and sustained serious injuries, whilst Sergeant Tichareva was assaulted on the right shoulder with a metal rod. Constables Kanzou and Chiminzi, both based at Harare Central police station, were reportedly assaulted at the Ximex Mall. Kanzou was stabbed in the buttocks whilst Chiminzi was assaulted all over the body and sustained moderate injuries. It is said that the suspected MDC supporters numbered between 150 and 200 and they are also believed to have been drawn from all over the country. The MDC supporters are also alleged to have snatched a cell phone from a woman in George Silundika Avenue and smashed windows at Herald House. The police spokesperson claimed that the MDC supporters had each been paid Z$60 000 and would be paid a further Z$30 000 in order to stage the demonstration. Ten suspected MDC supporters were arrested in connection with the demonstration and assault of police officers. In a related incident it is alleged that after an MDC rally in Kambuzuma 5 on 11 February, MDC supporters destroyed a butchery belonging to Dr Samuel Mvurume, and looted money and meat.

The Independent, 23 February 2007

22 February 2007

∑. It is reported that Grace Kwinje, the MDC Deputy Secretary for Women’s Affairs, Elton Mangoma, Deputy Treasurer-General and Kambuzuma Representative in the House of Assembly Willas Madzimure were arrested on allegations of public violence.

5 February 2007

On the night of the date in question around 23:53 hrs, a truck load of soldiers accompanied by a Mercedes Benz reportedly arrived at the home of Raymond Majongwe the Secretary General of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ). The soldiers did not disembark from their vehicles, but beamed their headlights on Majongwe’s house for about 20 minutes, while the engines of their vehicles were running. The occupants of the house could hear voices outside. This incident of intimidation came a few hours after Raymond Majongwe and some members of the PTUZ leadership had reported to the Harare Central Police Station Law and Order Section and were interrogated by Detective Inspector Rangwani in the company of their lawyers. Another member of the PTUZ leadership, Takavafira Zhou, who is the President of the Union, was accosted by police officers while buying newspapers at OK supermarket in Masvingo. One of the police officers from the Law and Order Section in Masvingo instructed Takavafira to report to Masvingo Central Police Station for questioning. A Masvingo based lawyer was assigned to attend to Takavafira.

13 February 2007

Six female victims who were part of a Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) demonstration in Harare city centre under the theme “love and ending violence’, were arrested and taken to Harare Central Police Station where they were allegedly assaulted and detained overnight. One claimed that while in custody, a policeman held her neck while a policewoman slapped her several times across the face and that she was then thrown across the room into a door by a third person whom she described as a “man in a suit’ and told to go home. At the demonstration, tear gas had been used by the police and this affected some demonstrators who had nevertheless managed to escape from the police.

The police detained 15 student leaders including ZINASU President Promise Mkwananzi, Maureen Kademaunga, Abisha Dube and Chanada Chinale at the Harare Polytechnic. The students were taken to Harare Central Police Station. Some of the students had been arrested and detained by the police the previous week in Bulawayo following protests against the fee hikes in tertiary institutions. Unconfirmed reports suggested that 40 more students were rounded up at the Harare Polytechnic and detained by the police

16 February 2007

Two male victims were at the Copa Cabana bus terminus in Harare City Centre. They were asked what they were doing there by 10 ZANU PF youths. They were taken to the Fourth Street Branch of ZANU PF where they were assaulted with booted feet, open hands, fists and batons. No reasons were given for the assaults. The victims managed to identify one of the assailants as a member of the Mbare based ZANU PF Youth .

The victim claims that on the date in question he was covering the MDC demonstration held in Harare. since it started at Rezende Street. He was observing the demonstration from the pavement when a Defender police car stopped near him. 12 officers some in riot gear got out. They started assaulting suspected illegal foreign currency dealers. One of the officers approached him and asked why he was on the pavement at that particular place. He told him he needed to make a phone call and he was told to join the line. The leader of the officers approached him again asking what he was doing. He told him he was standing in the line as ordered. He was accused of being difficult and was pulled out of the line and assaulted with open palms and fists. Three other officers got out of the car and joined in the assault. He received one blow with a baton on his head and seven blows to his left arm and shoulder. He managed to escape during this assault.

Three male and 3 female victims were reportedly taking part in an MDC peaceful demonstration protesting against the hardships in the country in Harare City Centre. Police descended on the demonstrators and assaulted and arrested some of them. Two of the male demonstrators who were arrested were allegedly assaulted in custody and one of them was burnt with cigarettes. One of the victims managed to escape. All 3 female demonstrators who were arrested were assaulted with fists, open palms and batons all over their bodies, their buttocks and under their feet. Another male victim was caught in the crossfire. As he was reportedly coming from NSSA House where he had gone to collect his papers. On his way back, he met with the police who assaulted him and arrested him. Police made those arrested pay fines of Z$250 for their release.

19 February 2007

The victim claims that on the date in question he came into town in preparation for demonstration around 10:00 hrs. While at Copa Cabana 2 men approached him saying they wanted to talk to him. He was asked to go with them and he followed them and they took him to ZANU PF headquarters close to Fourth Street. They met some other colleagues there. The touts at the Fourth Street bus terminus were told to assault them with batons, booted feet and fists. When he started bleeding from the nose they let him go.

22 February 2007

The victim claims that on the date in question at 12:00 hrs, he was part of the NCA demonstration in town. Riot police dispersed them just before they got to Parliament but he managed to escape without any injuries. After escaping from the police he was reportedly attacked by 6 ZANU PF activists at the corner of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Second Street since they recognized him as an NCA activist. He was assaulted with booted feet, fists and open palms.

28 February 2007

On the day in question 22 NCA activists, 10 women and 12 men were involved in a demonstration to push for a new constitution. The police confronted the NCA members as to why they were gathering at the terminus and assaulted them with booted feet and batons (rubber and wooden). One of the victims sustained a fractured rib. Five of the activists, 3 women and 2 men were not assaulted. One of the 3 women was reportedly bumped by a car while trying to escape. She lost consciousness as a result.

The University of Zimbabwe Student Representative Council (SRC) President was arrested on 28 February following a demonstration at the University Campus. He was detained in police custody until 5 March. The victim’s lawyers were told he would not be released until other students involved in the demonstration had been arrested as well.

Harare North

The Daily Mirror, 15 February 2007

14 February 2007

∑. It is reported that police officers arrested the Secretary General of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Raymond Majongwe, for allegedly inciting teachers to embark on a strike. Majongwe was arrested in Mabelreign at Haig Park Primary School whilst in the company of the PTUZ Treasurer Mcdonald Mangauzani. The Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena, said Majongwe had been arrested in connection with addressing teachers in schools and inciting them to embark on a strike. Other PTUZ members were also arrested on similar allegations. In Masvingo the PTUZ’s President Takavafira Zhou was arrested but later released, and in Chitungwiza at Seke 4 High School, the PTUZ Chairman for Harare Province was arrested and later released. The PTUZ has been pushing for industrial action by teachers so as to oblige government to award them a minimum gross salary of Z$650 000. per month in light of the rising cost of living.

Harare South

21 February 2007

Two male victims were reportedly talking to a friend who is a ZANU PF supporter when they were approached by war veterans. They were taken to the office of one of the war veterans. In the office one of the victims was allegedly asked to lie down on the floor. He was said to have been assaulted on the back, buttocks and under his feet with booted feet, batons and a pick handle for talking about the MDC. The other victim was allegedly assaulted, while handcuffed, with batons, broomsticks and a pick handle. He was assaulted all over his body for more than 30 minutes.

A male victim alleged that on the date in question at midnight he and collegues drove past Southerton Police Station while singing. They were allegedly followed by a police truck with about 15 police officers with 7 to 8 guns. They were reportedly accused of singing about Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai. He was taken into the police vehicle together with his neighbours and dropped 1km away from the police station and told to run back to the service station. Mid-way through they were stopped and he was allegedly assaulted with batons on his back. When they reached the police station he was ordered to lie on his stomach. The police took turns to assault the victim and ordered him to do press-ups and jog. He was then locked up in the cells and assaulted during the night. He was charged with criminal violence and paid an admission of guilt fine of Z$ 250.

Highfield

16 February 2007

The victim claims that on the date in question he went to Machipisa to attend the MDC Rally at Zimbabwe Grounds. Around 18:00 hrs he was arrested by the police and assaulted all over the body together with his colleagues. They were taken to Hatfield Police Station where they were allegedly assaulted with batons, fists and booted feet. They were detained until 21 February.

18 February 2007

On the date in question 31 male victims and 5 female victims were allegedly assaulted by the police in connection with an MDC rally in Highfield, The police reportedly stopped the rally from taking place by blocking entrances into the venue. In the process, all but 2 of the victims (women) were allegedly assaulted by the police using batons. Police also used tear gas and water canon on the crowd. Nevertheless, the two women were injured in the stampeding crowd who were trying to escape from the police. Two male victims were reported to have lost consciousness as a result of the police assault and another reported he was assaulted while using public transport on his way home in the vicinity of the aborted rally.

19 February 2007

The victim claims that on the date in question there were some ZANU PF youths who were gathered at his house throwing stones at people who were walking about in the streets. Policemen arrived at his house and the youths disappeared. The police allegedly assaulted the victim claiming that he was an MDC supporter who was instigating violence. He was assaulted with baton sticks resulting in his right arm being broken

20 February 2007

The female victim claims that on 20 February around 20:00 hrs she and relatives were accompanying a relative to the bus stop in Western Triangle, Highfield when two men appeared and started assaulted them on the accusation that they were causing commotion in Highfield. She fell to the ground and the perpetrators continued kicking her all over her body.

21 February 2007

The female victim reported that three days before the incident they were standing about watching police beating up people. Some of the people who were beaten came to her house to seek refuge and were later taken to the hospital by ambulance. On 21 February 2007 the police came to her house and threatened the occupants saying that if they continued interfering with their operation they would be punished. They allegedly pushed the victim to the ground.

A second victim alleges that on the date in question he was looking for candles and matches at TM supermarket at Machipisa around 19:00 hrs when 4 uniformed police officers and some neighborhood watch guards confronted him. The perpetrators ordered him to stop. He obliged and the police allegedly assaulted him all over the body using fists and booted feet. He was also assaulted with an unknown object on the left wrist and his upper arm and right thigh were painful. He fell to the ground and the police went away.

Kambuzuma

The Standard, 18 - 24 February 2007

15 February 2007

∑. It is reported that 6 Municipal police officers, who were not in uniform, and who were driving a light blue Council vehicle were “attacked” by women and children in Kambuzuma Section 5. They arrived in Kambuzuma around 18: 00 hrs and started confiscating commodities from the vendors. However, the vendors are said to have noted that the officers were confisticating bars of washing soap and cooking oil, leaving vegetables, eggs and mangoes. The vendors were convinced that they were ‘rogue officers’ who intended to sell the wares for their own profit. The vendors then ganged up and started stoning the Municipal policemen. Men, drinking beer at nearby bottle stores, joined in the stoning spree. The police officers fled in the Municipal vehicle. Efforts by commuter omnibus drivers to block the vehicle were in vain as the Municipal police officers drove off at high speed. The officers apparently managed to escape with a few bars of soap and a bottle of cooking oil.

Mbare

28 February 2007

The 2 male victims were waiting for transport to an MDC demonstration at Mwamuka Service Station, together with some NCA activists, when the police approached them. The NCA activists tried to flee from the police but were apprehended after the police pointed a pistol at them. The police officers took them to Mbare Police Station, where they were told to remove their shoes. The police allegedly assaulted the 2 victims under the feet and all over the body with batons and open palms. One of the victims claims that one of the officers used a stool to squash his toes. The ordeal lasted from about 9:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs. They were made to pay fines for being a “public nuisance”.

St Mary’s

2 February 2007

The victim reported that on the date in question around 18:00 hrs at Huruyadzo Shopping Centre he was part of the MDC supporters demonstrating for the Presidential Elections to be held in 2008 not 2010. The police appeared in 2 pick-up trucks within 20 minutes and started firing teargas. As people dispersed the police pursued them. The victim ran home but at around 21:00 hrs, 8 policemen arrived at his home and he was arrested and assaulted in front of his landlord and other people who rent there. He was taken to St Mary’s police station where he saw other colleagues who had been arrested earlier. They were detained there for 3 days during which they were beaten under the soles of their feet. They were then transferred to Harare Central Police Station where they were beaten again and ill treated for a further 2 days. They were then taken to court and they were sent to Remand Prison. A human rights lawyer managed to get them released on bail.

Manicaland

Mutare Central

28 February 2007

Eight members of the NCA were arrested and charged under section 37(1) of the Criminal Law Codification Act for participating in a demonstration with the intention to cause violence and breach of peace. They were released on $20 000 bail on 3 March. The NCA members were allegedly assaulted with baton sticks and open hands and also made to sit in the mud while in custody.

Masvingo

Masvingo Central

28 February 2007

More than 20 people were arrested as the NCA engaged in demonstrations to protest the recently imposed police ban on rallies and political gatherings. Five people, including the PTUZ President Takavafira Zhou, were arrested in Masvingo on allegations of taking part in the demonstration. The other three, Lynett Ambwe and two other males identified as Chitetembu and Zvauya were released after paying admission of guilt fines of Z$2 500 each. Zhou appeared in court on the 2 March 2007, where he was released on bail after being charged under section 21 of POSA and section 17 of the Criminal law and Codification Act for undermining the authority of the police.

The table below and the graphs on page 3 above depict the number of violations committed on

the persons whose circumstances are described in the report. One individual may have been subjected to many violations and thus appear under several categories of violations.

Monthly totals of human rights violations from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2007

Administrative Map of ZIMBABWE

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 to assist victims of organised violence and torture claim compensation from perpetrators, through its Public Interest Unit.

Member organisations of the Human Rights Forum are:

• Amnesty International (Zimbabwe) (AI (Z))

• Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP)

• Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)

• Human Rights Trust of Southern Africa (SAHRIT)

• Legal Resources Foundation (LRF)

• Media Institute of Southen Africa (MISA)

• Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ)

• Nonviolent Action and Strategies for Social Change (NOVASC)

• Transparency International (Zimbabwe) (TI (Z)

• Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of the Offender (ZACRO)

• Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR)

• Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET)

• Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)

• Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)

• Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP)

• Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA)

The Human Rights Forum can be contacted through any member organisation or through:

The Administrator, P O Box 9077, Harare – email: admin@hrforum.co.zw

The Public Interest Unit, P O Box 9077, Harare – email: legal@hrforum.co.zw

The Research Unit, P O Box 9077, Harare – email: research@hrforum.co.zw

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

Telephone+44-20-7065-0945

Website: www.hrforumzim.com

Previous reports of the Human Rights Forum can be found on our website.