ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM

POLITICAL VIOLENCE REPORT

MARCH 2004

06 May 2004

A report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

OVERVIEW

Inter-party violence prevailed throughout the campaign period or the Zengeza by-election held from 27-28 March 2004. Seventy-five percent of the politically motivated assaults that were perpetrated in March 2004 occurred in Zengeza constituency during the campaign period. There are allegations that Christopher Chigumba (ZANU PF candidate, Zengeza by-election). was involved in intimidation of MDC supporters. CT, the MDC Chairperson, Ward 20, in Zengeza was reportedly visited at his home by ZANU PF supporters who had earlier attacked his home in the company of two senior officials from the ruling party, ZANU PF, and Christopher Chigumba. There were also several reports of attacks on the home of James Makore (MDC candidate, Zengeza by-election).

Incidents of assault have been indiscriminate with several reports of assaults of elderly persons over the age of 60. Three pregnant women were reportedly assaulted in March 2004. WC, who was four months pregnant, was allegedly assaulted by some ZANU PF youths based at the home of a Mrs Hungwe (the ZANU PF Women’s Leader in the area). The youths reportedly assaulted her with a chain on her back, buttocks and legs and also broke her arm as she was trying to shield her face from a blow and protect her stomach.

JN, who was one month pregnant at the time was reportedly assaulted by ZANU PF supporters in Zengeza. She was allegedly kicked with booted feet in the stomach and subsequently began to bleed. She claims that she was beaten on the left side of her head, thighs and buttocks with a hosepipe and her left eye was also injured during the beating. She received treatment for the injuries including treatment for the genital tract bleeding. She is now complaining of pain in the lower abdomen and the genital tract bleeding. It is further alleged that riot police were involved in the assault of a woman in Zengeza who was nine-months pregnant. This assault of this woman, with a pregnancy that was undoubtedly visible, is highly condemned.

PT and approximately ten other women, were distributing fliers for the MDC in Zengeza prior to the by-election when a mob of ZANU PF reportedly started throwing missiles and stones at them. The women who were accompanied by MDC youths, retaliated by attacking the ZANU PF supporters. The police came and stopped the skirmishes but then started to beat up the MDC women using baton sticks. They also threw teargas canisters at the women. PT, who was nine months pregnant at the time, had her lips injured and four teeth broken during the assault.

Widely reported incidents of violence in Zengeza eliminated prospects for a peaceful electoral environment in the constituency prior to the election. The murder of Francis Chonozvina on the morning of the second day of polling also undoubtedly had an effect on the voting process and most likely induced a climate of fear amongst the electorate. The events that transpired in Zengeza in March raise serious doubts regarding the possibility of free, fair and violence-free elections in the Parliamentary Elections planned for March 2005.

Totals: 1 March 2004 – 31 March 2004

Cumulative Totals: 1 January 2004 – 31 March 2004

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

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.

Key Abbreviations

AIPPA – Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

CIO – Central Intelligence Organisation

MDC – Movement for Democratic Change

MP – Member of Parliament

NAGG - National Alliance for Good Governance

NCA – National Constitutional Assembly

OVT – Organised Violence and Torture

POSA – Public Order and Security Act

PTUZ – Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe

UMP – Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe

Zanu PF – Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front

ZCTU – Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

ZNA – Zimbabwe National Army

ZNLWVA – Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association

ZPS – Zimbabwe Prison Service

ZRP – Zimbabwe Republic Police

ZIMTA – Zimbabwe Teachers Association

ZUPCO – Zimbabwe United Passenger Company

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 by the use of initials. 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 on politically motivated violence. 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 North East/ South

March 2004

• ?Law and Order Section Police are alleged to have been harassing MDC officials in the city including Angeline Ndlovu and Rodger Sibanda, Councillor for Pumula South. The police reportedly demanded personal information pertaining to their political history and the party’s grassroots membership. Sibanda was allegedly visited twice and asked to fill in a form outlining his political history, which he refused to do. The police later returned and purportedly forced him to provide details of other party members. Ndhlovu reports that she was ordered to give the police information on the party’s structures at branch and district levels.

7 March 2004

• ?Jenny Williams (WOZA Chairperson), Patricia Khanye, Magodonga Mahlangu were reportedly arrested on 7 March 2004 on allegations of planning a march to be staged by the Women’s Coalition to mark International Women’s Day (8 March 2004). The three were allegedly detained in police custody for the next two nights. On the morning following their arrest, the police had not yet made clear the charges the victims were facing. They initially indicated that they would charge the three women under POSA. They released on 9 March 2004 having spent over forty-eight hours in prison cells and paying Z$10 000 bail on charges of violating Section 7 (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. The essence of the charge was that the trio had incited other people to demonstrate and cause public disorder and/or disturbance and/or nuisance.

HARARE

Dzivarasekwa

8 March 2004

• WC alleges that some ZANU PF youths based at the home of a Mrs Hungwe (the ZANU PF Women’s Leader in the area) came to the victim’ s home on three consecutive days inquiring about her father-in-law. The perpetrators reportedly included Brian, Farai Muchaneta, Weeds Chiroodza and Shortie. The victim claims that she was intimidated and threatened with unspecified action each time because her father-in-law was not home. Four ZANU PF youths then reportedly came to the victim’s house again at around 15:00 hours on 8 March 2004 asking for her father-in-law but he was still not around. They are reported to have gone away and returned later at around 20:30 hours and started smashing windows. They also took whatever they could including meat from the fridge, matemba (dried fish) and some clothing. They are also said to have demanded some money from her and demanded information on her father-in-law’s whereabouts. WC claims that they started beating her with a chain on her back, buttocks and legs and also broke her arm as she was trying to shield her face from a blow and protect her stomach, as she was four months pregnant. She reportedly fainted after the beatings.

11 March 2004

• GG, who works as a security guard, claims to have been approached at his home by nine ZANU PF youths who asked for him by name and demanded to get into the house. GG reportedly let the violators into the house, whereby they started removing MDC posters in the house and demanded for a MDC card and T-shirts, which they believed the victim had. He purports to have been handcuffed using his own handcuffs and kicked with booted feet on the right cheek. The violators are said to have searched the house for MDC regalia, which they did not find. They took GG away with them. After walking for about three meters from the house, it is alleged that they demanded that he sit down while they went back to his home to conduct another search for MDC regalia. It is reported that they still found nothing. They then proceeded to their base with GG. Having arrived at the base, he was made to sit under a big tree and asked once more where he had put the items for which they were looking. GG claims he was beaten on his right side with a rubber whip after he stated that he did not have what they where looking for. It is further purported that while he was still handcuffed, he was made to lie down in a prone position. Two of his assailants reportedly held his leg while the other two held his hands and the other four are said to have beaten him on the back, shoulders, and buttocks. He was also beaten on the abdomen as he tried to lean more on the right to protect an old operation scar. The beatings are said to have gone on for about forty-five minutes. GG claims he was also beaten underneath the feet and was ordered to sit while four of them lifted him and threw him into the branches of a tree. They are said to have continued beating him until he started crying. It is alleged that he fell head first from the tree and they poured cold water over him. GG claims to have lifted himself up and ran to where the ZANU PF leaders were seated, and fell in their midst crying. They reportedly asked him why he beat his wife yet he supported the MDC. The ZANU PF leaders are said to have then cleaned him up and ordered him to mould bricks as part of the continued punishment. GG claims he could not stand up and as a result they released him. He, however, could not walk and was taken by a Good Samaritan to the nearest clinic in a wheelbarrow. He was treated at the clinic and later transferred to a local hospital.

Hatfield

7 March 2004

• EG was one of the MDC activists going to a MDC rally at Domboramwari. He claims that as the truck they were travelling in was getting closer to the venue of the rally, some ZANU PF youths started throwing stones at the vehicle. The driver allegedly tried to turn but failed and thus the victim and his colleagues jumped out of the truck and ran off in different directions. The victim was caught in the ensuing confusion and reportedly assaulted with a slasher, a sjamboks and rubber pipes on his back. He was also slapped and kicked with booted feet. The youths reportedly also took away his shoes and tore to pieces his shirt before ordering him to go away.
• EMM alleges that he was coming from an MDC rally at Domboramwari Shopping Centre and was on his way home when he was stopped by five Zanu PF youths who said that "vafana makujairira" ("you guys are getting out of hand"). The victim claims that he was assaulted because he was wearing an MDC T–shirt. His attackers are said to have used empty beer bottles to beat him on the face. He fell down but managed to stand up and escape after he was also assaulted with a blunt object on his shoulder.

Highfield

2 March 2004

• SM was campaigning for the MDC in Zengeza prior to the by-election. When he returned home the ZANU PF Chairman for Highfield, Ward 8, reportedly informed him that he had recognised him as having been amongst the MDC campaign team. ZANU PF supporters reportedly came to his home later and sang and chanted ZANU PF slogans at the gate. They then proceeded to his work place and intimidated him there. He is no longer able to work as they reportedly always come to ask for him at work. His landlord has asked him to look for alternative lodgings fearing the destruction of his home. He now has nowhere to stay.

17 March 2004

• EM, a MDC member, was reportedly assaulted and had his hair cut with a knife and was then evicted from home in the year 2000. He only returned home on 17 March 2004 and on that day he was allegedly attacked by six ZANU PF youths. He managed to escape through the window. The youths reportedly left a message that they would come back and kill him if he continued to stay there. He has since vacated his home and cannot return.

Zengeza

3 March 2004

• CT is the MDC Chairman, Ward 20, in Zengeza. On 3 March 2004, ZANU PF supporters reportedly attacked his home in his absence whilst they were looking for him and campaign material. The assailants allegedly assaulted his wife and children. They also smashed windows and stole a radio, TV, plates, cups, money ($1 025 000) and drinks that were in the fridge. The perpetrators reportedly included Murindagomo, Chimbadzo and Mutata Muzambi. On 10 March 2004 the assailants reportedly returned to his house now accompanied by two senior officials from the ruling party, ZANU PF, and Christopher Chigumba (ZANU PF candidate, Zengeza by-election) and intimidated him. The victim has since fled his home out of fear.
• CM is the MDC District Organising Secretary in Zengeza. He claims that a group of about 20 soldiers carrying rifles came to his home at around 22:00 hours and jumped over the fence. He claims he managed to identify three of the soldiers as Army Captain Makombe of House No 16927 Unit M, Seke, Baba Va Ranga of House No 16687 Unit M, Seke, Baba Va Beries of House No 17688 Unit M Seke. CM further claims that they ordered his mother to show them to his room where he was sleeping. He alleges that they literally lifted him off the bed when his mother opened the door for them. His wife is said to have started crying and begged the soldiers to let the victim put on some clothes as he was naked. The soldiers only allowed his wife to hand him a pair of shorts and a T- shirt before taking him away. They reportedly ordered that the lights be switched off so that they would not attract attention. CM alleges that he was placed under blindfold with the T-shirt he had just been ordered to remove and assaulted all over the body with tree branches, baton sticks, the butt of a gun, kicked with booted feet and also slapped. He claims they ordered him to tell them the addresses of all the MDC activists in the district and threatened him with death if he did not do as ordered even though he told them that he did not know the addresses. They are reported to have told the victim that he should know where the MDC activists resided since he is the District Organising Secretary. He further claims they took him around Unit M forcing him to identify MDC activists’ s homes. They reportedly forced him to swim in rain puddles and drink the muddy water in them. He was also beaten up as he ‘swam’ in the muddy puddles and had his testicles and penis squeezed together. It is reported that the victim was later taken to Chitungwiza Police Station behind which the soldiers were camped. The victim was allegedly subjected to further assault before one of them came and squeezed his penis and testicles together so hard that he fainted. The victim claims that he was then ordered to lie face down for the whole night, i.e. from around 01:00 hours to 06:00 hours. It is alleged that the soldiers would walk over the victims’ back and kick him with booted feet from time to time during the night. The victim claims he was taken into a holding cell in the early hours of the morning and later released after Fidelis Mhashu (MDC MP for Chitungwiza) came looking for him.

3 March 2004

• KJ claims that a gang of ZANU PF youths came to the market place where he is a vendor at around 13:30 hours and started overturning tables, disrupting business and beating people up indiscriminately. The riot police are reported to have arrived at the scene so the victim ran off to hide in the hospital like other vendors. It is reported that some elderly ZANU PF activists came into the building and ordered the nursing staff to reveal where the victim and his colleagues were hiding. The ZANU PF activists allegedly told the police that the victim and his colleagues were responsible for disrupting the peace. The victim claims he was taken to Remand Prison where he was detained for 2 days and taken to court on the third day and subsequently detained until 8 March 2004 when he was bailed out by the MDC.

8 March 2004

• JC claims he is one of the MDC members who were guarding the residence of James Makore (MDC candidate for the Zengeza by-election). He went out to the tuck shop to buy some drinks and was reportedly spotted by ZANU PF youths. They allegedly beat him and accused him of being an MDC activist.

9 March 2004

• ZANU PF supporters in a truck reportedly followed JN when she and two of her colleagues were on their way home after they had finished distributing MDC fliers. JN and her colleagues decided to run away but realised that there were other ZANU PF supporters on foot who had already surrounded them. JN tried to seek refuge at the nearest house but the owner turned out to be ZANU PF supporter and subsequently handed her over to the ZANU PF supporters who were giving chase. JN, who was one month pregnant, was allegedly kicked with booted feet in the stomach and subsequently began to bleed. She claims that she was beaten on the left side of her head, thighs and buttocks with a hosepipe and her left eye was also injured during the beating. She received treatment for the injuries, including treatment for the genital tract bleeding. She is now complaining of pain in the lower abdomen and the genital tract bleeding.
• GN, an MDC member, reportedly left Chitungwiza Hospital complex, where he works, to buy bananas with a colleague around lunch hour. On their way back someone reportedly shouted, "uyo" (meaning "there he is"). It is alleged that he was grabbed by about six people who literally lifted him up and took him to a truck inscribed "ZANU PF Harare Province." A Mr. Murindagomo is said to have called out to the youths to take him to the truck. GN purports to have been thrown in to the truck and been beaten with wooden logs. One of the assailants is said to have beaten him on the head with a rifle butt, while the others punched, slapped and kicked him with booted feet. The victim claims to have been sitting so most of the blows fell on his head and face. The victim further claims that Joseph Chinotimba (Deputy President, Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU), former Harare Provincial Chairperson of ZNLWVA) and a senior official from the ruling party, ZANU PF, were in the truck giving orders to the assailants to beat him harder. It is reported that the hospital authorities had in the meantime reported the matter to the police. A hospital ambulance was employed to follow the victim and his assailants. Mr. Murindagomo, who was driving his Mercedes Benz behind the truck into which the victim had been thrown, veered off the road when he realised the ambulance was following his car. The police reportedly stopped the truck in which the victim was captured when it had turned off into the road leading to the cemetery. The victim claims that his abductors gagged him when the police demanded that he be released but he managed to shout out to alert the police of his presence. The police then took the victim to the hospital. He claims that he saw the senior official from the ruling party and Joseph Chinotimba conferring amongst themselves when he left.

13 March 2004

• TN claims that he was distributing MDC fliers and posters with colleagues at around 14:00 hours in Zengeza when they saw ZANU PF activists coming their way. The victim claims that he and his colleagues then changed direction but the ZANU PF activists are reported to have run ahead in front of them and started throwing stones at them. TN tried to run away but fell and was caught. The ZANU PF youths reportedly beat him with fists and kicked him with booted feet. One of them is alleged to have hit him with a steel rod on his right hand, left side chest and left finger. The victim managed to escape later while they attempted to force him to go to their base.

14 March 2004

• 16 ZANU PF supporters who were in a ZANU PF truck labelled "ZANU PF - Mashonaland East" allegedly abducted ET from his house. The group took the victim to their base in Unit D, Chitungwiza where he was assaulted using sjamboks and clenched fists. He was reportedly released on the following day and advised to stop actively participating in the MDC.

18 March 2004

• JS, an active MDC member had been distributing party fliers and posters and was on her way home when she met ZANU PF activists who reportedly verbally abused the victim and her colleagues. She claims that two elderly men, who alleged that they were war veterans, lifted her by shoulders and threw her to the ground like a log. She fell on her left shoulder and her neck area is now extremely painful. The victim also claims the war veterans forced her and her colleagues to attend a ZANU PF rally but she lied and told them she had diarrhea.
• ZANU PF supporters who were accompanied by members of the ZNA reportedly stoned JR’s home. The victim has since fled her homestead and she is receiving intimidatory threats from the assailants.
• AT was allegedly beaten up by ZANU PF supporters at Zengeza 4 Shopping Centre. Since then ZANU PF supporters have been going to her house threatening to assault her if she continues to support the MDC. She has since fled the area out of fear.
• SM claims he was overseeing the distribution of fliers for the Zengeza by-election in Zengeza 4 when an altercation arose between some ZANU PF and MDC youths resulting in both sides throwing stones at each other. The victim further alleges that the ZANU PF youths then started withdrawing and the MDC activists were advised by their campaign manager to disperse so as to avoid any further clashes and intervention by the police. The victim claims he started walking towards the MDC candidate’ s home with other MDC activists. He claims the route they took passed near where a ZANU PF rally was being held. It is reported that some ZANU PF youths spotted the victim and his colleagues and then forced them to attend the rally and beat him with whips on the back, shoulders and buttocks. SM claims that he and his colleagues were released after intervention from an elderly ZANU PF supporter. It is further alleged that SM and his colleagues were followed by some youths in a truck and forced to go back to the ZANU PF rally where they were subjected to further beatings. The victim claims they were forced to sit on the floor as they were being beaten up. SM was allegedly released after one of his neighbours, who is a ZANU PF member, intervened and demanded that he be released.

20 March 2004

• SD was at the home of James Makore (the MDC candidate for the Zengeza by-election) cooking for the campaign team when riot police allegedly arrived claiming that MDC youths had assaulted the police and ZANU PF members. They searched the house and claimed that the assailants were hidden there. SD was reportedly assaulted with baton sticks on her back for refuting the police’s claims. The police then departed but promised to return if they failed to find the youths for whom they were looking.
• ZANU PF supporters reportedly went to TC’s home in the run-up to the Zengeza by-election and destroyed some property because he is an MDC member. He has since fled from home.
• LM was reportedly assaulted by ZANU PF supporters whilst working in his tuck-shop. They accused him of being one of MDC supporters who had been assaulting people in the area. He was allegedly struck on the leg with an axe and his eye was hit with a baton stick. LM went and reported the matter to the police but he was reportedly told that they were not armed so they could not arrest his assailants.
• Youth militia and a group of ZANU PF youth called "Chipangano" allegedly assaulted RM, an MDC member. They used iron bars, sticks and stones to assault him. The police rescued him. The assailants still threaten the victim and have threatened his landlord with violence if he does not evict the victim.
• KS was reportedly threatened with death by ZANU PF supporters, soldiers and war veterans. During the campaign period for the Zengeza by-election he was allegedly assaulted on two occasions, the latter being on 20 March 2004. The assailants have also reportedly barred the victim from selling vegetables at the market place. The ZANU PF youths have also destroyed his vegetable stall.
• PT and approximately ten other women were distributing fliers for the MDC in Zengeza prior to the by-election when a mob of ZANU PF reportedly started throwing missiles and stones at them. The women who were accompanied by MDC youths retaliated by attacking the ZANU PF supporters. The police came and stopped the skirmishes but then started to beat up the MDC women using baton sticks. They also threw teargas canisters at the women. PT, who was nine months pregnant at the time, injured her lips and had 4 teeth broken from the assault.

25 March 2004

• ∑An ice-cream vendor was reportedly beaten up at a shopping centre in the area and had his ice cream cart seized and some ice creams taken away by ZANU PF youths. When he went after them and pleaded for his goods he was reportedly beaten by the youths. Other persons were reportedly assaulted after having been asked why they were milling around the shops.

27 March 2004

• ∑3 MDC supporters were allegedly arrested by the police while on their way to the Zengeza 8 Polling Station to cast their votes. The youths had reportedly tried to defend themselves against the ZANU PF youths who were blocking the electorate from accessing the polling stations. ZANU PF supporters allegedly abducted several MDC supporters. In addition Christopher Chigumba, the ZANU PF candidate, was allegedly buying votes by offering Z$10 000 to people he visited in his door-to-door campaign. Those who accepted had their identity numbers taken down. The MDC expressed fears that these voters may then have been assisted voters thereby giving the ruling party an unfair advantage.
• KM was reportedly accosted by a group of 6 ZANU PF youths at a tuck shop near his home where he had gone to buy a mosquito coil. The youths are reported to have ordered him to do some ZANU PF slogans but started pushing him around and slapped him in the face before he could comply with the order. KM claims he was taken to their base that is near the tuck shop and was slapped continuously. One of them is said to have taken a pick handle and hit him hard on his left knee and the victim fell on the ground. The youths reportedly took away his cell phone, removed the sim-card and threw the sim-card at him. It is reported that the ZANU PF Chairman in the constituency who knows KM subsequently intervened and the victim was released. The Chairman reportedly carried the victim home.
• PG states that around 12:00 hours he decided to lie down under an MDC truck to rest due to the fact that he had a toothache. He woke up to some commotion and saw the riot police beating people up. He alleges that he was beaten on the buttocks, back and right arm and accused of having instigated some violent attacks on ZANU PF supporters.
• ZANU PF supporters allegedly assaulted LZ at his home during the Zengeza by-election. They also reportedly stole his two-plate stove, radio and 14’ black and white television. The landlord evicted LZ from his home following the attack. The ZANU PF youths are allegedly still looking for him and they have threatened to kill him if they find him.

28 March 2004

• ND alleges that he had just returned to the house of the MDC candidate, James Makore, having taken food to MDC, when a mob of ZANU PF youths came to the house chanting slogans. Three pickup trucks, two Nissan Hardbody trucks and a Mazda SDX, cream in colour with red stripes and ‘ZANU PF - Harare Province’ inscribed reportedly on its doors arrived at Makore’s house. The victim claims that the MDC activists then assembled into a group by the right side of the house and that the ZANU PF youths started throwing stones at them. The victim claims that he and his colleagues retaliated by throwing stones at them too. He alleges that he saw a senior official from the ruling party, ZANU PF, in one of the trucks when they drew closer. It is further alleged that the official stood in one of the trucks and pointed a gun at Francis Chinozvina (deceased) then shot him once in the chest. The ZANU PF youths are reported to have started moving backwards when Francis fell down. The victim claims he and his colleagues moved forward to carry Francis away. It is alleged that the senior ruling party official fired another shot that did not hit anyone. The victim claims that as he and his three colleagues drew closer to Francis’ body, he saw a ZANU PF supporter in a khaki safari jacket and black shirt ordering the ZANU PF activists to disperse. He also claims he heard someone from the ZANU PF mob shout "Pfura dread" (meaning "shoot the dread-locked one") referring to Arthur Gunzvenzve. The victim further claims another man pulled the trigger and shot Arthur Gunzvenzve. It is reported that the senior ruling party official then reversed his truck and drove off at this point. The other man (who had shot Arthur) reportedly fired another shot but it did not hit anyone. The victim was allegedly hit with a log as he tried to advance towards Francis. He claims that the ZANU PF youths looked as if they also wanted to take Francis away but could not since the MDC youths stood their ground and pelted them with more stones. The ZANU PF youths are reported to have finally retreated and the victim and his colleagues were finally able to lift Francis into a truck and take him to hospital.
• Arthur Gunzvenzve was reportedly on his way back to the MDC candidate’ s house from the polling station where he had gone to give the polling agents some food when he met two women who are MDC activists. The two women are reported to have informed him and his colleagues that they had seen some ZANU PF supporters load stones into two vehicles in the vicinity. The victim and his colleagues then rushed to the MDC candidate’ s house in a bid to be ready to counter the possible attack. The victim claims that he saw two Nissan Hard Body trucks and a Mazda SDX truck plus about 300 ZANU PF supporters approach the MDC candidate’ s house. It is reported that the ZANU PF supporters in the company of a senior official from the ruling party, ZANU PF, started throwing stones at the MDC activists who were about 50 in number. The victim alleges that the MDC activists also started throwing stones at the ZANU PF activists. He claims that the ZANU PF supporters were getting their orders from the senior official from the ruling party. The victim further claims that he saw the senior official from the ruling party get into the SDX twin cab and come out armed with a rifle. He is said to have commanded the ZANU PF supporters to take cover and they did so upon his command. It is reported that the senior official then fired two shots into the MDC activists’ crowd. The first shot is said to have gone through Francis Chinozvina’ s chest and he only took a few steps backwards before falling on the ground. The second shot hit the tarmac and did not hurt anyone. The victim claims that two of his colleagues shouted out to him that someone was going to shoot him. The victim claims he came face to face with Karasha (whom he did not know by name then) at that moment and became numb thus failed to run. It is said that Karasha fired two shots at the victim, the first hit the victim in the left leg and the second missed him. The ZANU PF supporters are reported to have dispersed after the four shots had been fired at around 09:20 hours. Gunzvenzve was taken to a hospital by the MDC management.
• TG was on guard at the MDC candidate’s house (No. 4 Gamba Road, Zengeza 3) at around 09:30 hours when a mob of ZANU PF supporters reportedly came and went over to the house to attack the victim and his colleagues. He heard shots although he did not see where they had come from. He then observed ZANU PF youths trying to take away the body of Francis Chinozvina who had been shot. The victim claims that he was pelted with stones when he went over with other colleagues to try and help Francis. He was allegedly pelted on the left ankle, back and shin of the left leg. The victim further claims that the ZANU PF youths withdrew after they had been ordered to do by the other ZANU PF members.
• LK claims he was guarding the MDC candidate’s premises with other MDC activists when ZANU PF supporters came and started throwing stones at the MDC activists. He further claims that the MDC activists fought back by throwing stones at them. The victim reportedly ran away into the next yard when he heard the sound of a gunshot but some of the ZANU PF youths saw him and followed him there. He claims he was overpowered and beaten on the chest and right shoulder but he managed to escape.
• WC alleges that a large group of ZANU PF supporters in three trucks arrived at the home of MDC Candidate, James Makore, in the morning and started throwing stones at the MDC activists who were guarding the premises. WC claims that he was one of the MDC activists that were guarding the premises and that they grouped up and retaliated by throwing stones at the ZANU PF supporters. The victim further alleges that one of the trucks pulled up closer to the house than the rest and that he saw a senior official from the ruling party, ZANU PF, standing in the back of the truck pointing a gun into the MDC mob. The official allegedly shot and hit Francis Chinozvina in the chest and he fell to the ground. Another shot was reportedly fired and hit Arthur Gunzvenzve in the leg. The victim alleges that the ZANU PF supporters started advancing on Francis as if they wanted to take him away but the MDC activists continued pelting them with stones and they retreated. A stone hit the victim on the right elbow as he bent down to help pick Francis up.
• NG alleges that he was guarding the home of the MDC candidate for the Zengeza by-election with other MDC activists when ZANU PF youths accompanied by a convoy of three trucks came to the place chanting slogans and started throwing stones at the victim and his colleagues. The victim claims he saw a senior official from the ruling party, ZANU PF, climb into the back of one of the trucks and shoot into the midst of MDC supporters. One of the shots hit Francis and he fell to the ground. NG went forward with his colleagues to help Francis up when they saw the senior official leave. He claims that he was hit with a stone on the left elbow by ZANU PF youths who were still throwing stones at the MDC supporters.
• LD, who was guarding the MDC candidate’ s premises with other MDC activists, claims he saw a convoy of three trucks coming toward them accompanied by ZANU PF youths on foot. ZANU PF allegedly proceeded to attack him and his colleagues with stones. It is reported that a senior official from the ruling party, ZANU PF, got out of one of the trucks and got into the one that was edging closer to the MDC activists, took out a gun and aimed it at the MDC supporters gathered at the MDC candidate’s house. The senior official reportedly raised the gun and aimed at Francis Chinozvina and shot him in the chest. Francis is said to have screamed, "ndapfurwa" (I have been shot) before taking a few steps backwards and falling. LD claims he heard another 2 shots and saw the senior official from the ruling party and the ZANU PF youths then withdraw. A stone launched from a catapult during the commotion reportedly hit the victim on his right upper lip.
• GM was on his way home from the MDC candidate’ s house at around 22:00 hours when he was allegedly waylaid and abducted to a ZANU PF base in Zengeza 4 by a group of ZANU PF youths. He claims that he was thrown into a bathtub and beaten with fists all over until he started bleeding from the nostrils and mouth. The victim was allegedly interrogated about MDC activities. The youths reportedly searched him and found a red whistle on his person. The youths purportedly forced him to lie down flat on his stomach and beat him with braided wire, sticks and chains on the back, buttocks and ribcage until he faked fainting. GM claims that they blindfolded him, threw him into a car and drove him to a bushy area where they dumped him in a swamp at around 12 mid-night. He managed to get up after a while and walked towards the streetlights and got home at around 03:00 hours. GM reportedly sustained a broken rib, injuries on the neck and bruises on the back.
• GM was a security agent for the MDC and was stationed at Dudzai Primary School, a polling station. He claims that he observed that some ZANU PF women were taking down names of those who were entering the polling station to cast their votes and barring youths from entering the polling station. GM and his colleagues reportedly managed to enter the polling station and investigate what was going on. GM claims that the ZANU PF women then reported them to the police as being violent and he and his colleagues were taken to Makoni Police Station where they were placed in the cells for inciting public violence. The victim was allegedly kicked with booted feet in the chest before he was incarcerated. He claims he was kept in custody for 4 days and not provided with blankets and was finally released on 1 April 2004.
• MM, an MDC polling agent, was reportedly victimized by ZANU PF youths after his name had been published in the newspaper, The Daily Mirror. They allegedly went to his home, told his relatives that MM had to vacate the premises. MM, however, did not vacate his residence. When the Zengeza by-election was over he went to the Vote Counting Centre where he met ZANU PF youths who reportedly told him to leave the area.
• TK, an MDC member, alleges that some ZANU PF youths threw some substance into her eyes when she went to the Vote Counting Centre. Her eyes are now itchy.
• TN alleges that ZANU PF youths kept provoking the MDC activists at the Vote Counting Centre at around 12:30 hours. The victim claims that the youths eventually took away the MDC banner from the MDC supporters gathered at the Vote Counting Centre while the police just looked on and did nothing. The victim and two of his colleagues are reported to have been arrested by the police when they complained to the police manning the Counting Centre. The victim claims he was taken to Makoni Police Station then on to Harare Central Police Station where he was beaten under the feet and then released without any charges being preferred against him.
• BN was carrying the MDC banner at the Vote Counting Centre, and alleges that he was hit in the back with an iron bar by a ZANU PF youth. The youth is also alleged to have grabbed the banner and run away with it. BN was unable to stand upright on clinical examination because of pain in the back and chest.
• NB is an MDC supporter who took part in the campaign for the Zengeza by-election. On the day of vote counting she reportedly found ZANU PF supporters, who belong to a group called Chipangano, waiting for her at her home. They took her to the Mukuvisi River where they allegedly submerged her in the river forcing her to tell them about the people who were killing ZANU PF people in Zengeza before they assaulted her. She has since been evicted from the house she lived in by the youths and they did not allow her to take her belongings with her.

30 March 2004

• CM was at the funeral gathering of the late Francis Chinozvina when a ZANU PF supporter came past the MDC supporters and was badly assaulted by them. The ZANU PF supporter reported the matter to members of the ZNA. Since then soldiers have been frequenting the market place in the area threatening to beat her up unless she exposes the people who assaulted the ZANU PF supporter.

MANICALAND

Buhera North

21 March 2004

• MJ asserts that he attended a get - together party to celebrate Morgan Tsvangirai’s (MDC President) visit to their home area. He reports that on his way home at around 19:00 hours he was ambushed and hit with a plough’s "alarm" on the shoulder. He reportedly went to the local hospital for treatment where an X-ray was taken and it was found that he has a fractured forearm. His swollen hand has a septic laceration.

14 March 2004

• MS, claims that Ishmael Masomera and Clever Chokore, in the company of 10 other ZANU PF supporters, including Cain, Marko Chikanya and Doni, came to his house at around 19:30hrs while he was preparing the evening meal and demanded records relating to MDC activities in the area. He alleges that they threatened to eliminate him since he was a real threat in the area. He claims he was beaten with whips. He was allegedly hit with stones on his right leg and left shoulder. The assailants also slapped him on the left ear and the nose. He was rescued by people from his neighbourhood who threw stones to ward off his attackers.

Chipinge North

2 March 2004

• DN, an MDC supporter claims that she was attending an MDC rally at Bangwe Primary School in Chipinge when two trucks with ZANU PF activists, singing and chanting slogans, arrived at the rally. She claims that the police asked the MDC MP for Chipinge North to call off the rally. She and other MDC supporters then ran from the rally into the forest and she tripped and hurt her leg. She was then taken to Mount Selinda Hospital for treatment but she claims her leg is still hurting.

MASHONALAND CENTRAL

Shamva

7 March 2004

• MA, an MDC supporter, claims she was approached by a group of ZANU PF youths and taken to Ganza Village where ZANU PF supporters were holding a meeting. She claims she was taken to a nearby bush near the meeting place where she was made to lie down. She was beaten with sticks on her back and buttocks. She alleges that she was ordered not to seek any treatment from the local hospital by the ZANU PF youths after they had released her.
• ME, claims he was approached by about 13 ZANU PF youths and summoned to their meeting in Ganza village. He reports that he was taken to a bushy area near the meeting place and was accused of being an MDC supporter. He was allegedly forced to lie on his stomach and was beaten on his buttocks with sticks.

Mashonaland East

Chikomba

30 March 2004

• GV, a MDC supporter claims she fled Sadza, her home area due to political intimidation from members of the National Youth Service, nicknamed the Green Bombers, who were deployed to the area and were forcing villagers to pay contributions towards Independence Day celebrations. She reports that the Green Bombers were mainly targeting MDC supporters. She has been displaced and reports that she will only go back to her home after the Independence Day celebrations.

Marondera East/ West

20 March 2004

• CT, an MDC activist, claims he is being victimised by ZANU PF supporters because of his support for the MDC. He reports that he has also been accused of intending to support the MDC in the upcoming 2005 Parliamentary Elections. He claims that he was forcibly ordered to leave Marondera, failing which they would destroy his house. His landlord is said to have subsequently evicted him.

30 March 2004

• NM, a MDC candidate in the last council elections, was reportedly intimidated and threatened at his workplace by ZANU PF supporters.

Marondera West

23 March 2004

• NM, an MDC activist, alleges that around midnight, 10 ZANU PF youths arrived at his home and threatened to assault him. He reports that his wife, who managed to scare them away with an axe, rescued him. He escaped but the ZANU PF supporters returned to his homestead and threatened his wife. He reports that on the following day, another ZANU PF youth went to his house and told him to report to a ZANU PF meeting at a school in the area. He has since fled his home and relocated to Harare.

Hurungwe East

6 March 2004

• MD alleges that he was assaulted by a group of ZANU PF supporters on his way to Chikangwe from Chiedza Township in Karoi at around 23:00 hours. He claims that the ZANU PF youths accused him of being an MDC activist and told him that they did not want any MDC activists in the area. He was reportedly hit with an iron bar on the back by one of the assailants and he fell unconscious. He claims that amongst his assailants he identified Robson, Shepherd, Macmillan and Aaron.

Full alphabetical list of reported deaths related to political violence 1 January to 31 March 2004 recorded indicating name, political affiliation, date of death, constituency and province.

TOTAL: 2 MDC – 2 UNKNOWN - 1

Administrative Map of ZIMBABWE

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 (formerly the Legal Unit of the ZHRF.)

Core member organisations of the Human Rights Forum are:

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

Associate Members:

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

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, 33 Islington High Street, London N1 9LH – email: IntLO@hrforumzim.com

Telephone: +44 (0)20-7713.1123

Website: www.hrforumzim.com

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