Overview

Reports of organised violence have consistently surrounded the period preceding elections in Zimbabwe. The by-election held in Insiza over the weekend of 26 - 27 October 2002 proved to be no exception as it was allegedly marked by violence and engulfed in intimidation. There were reports of victimization of villagers, real and perceived MDC supporters as well as the MDC candidate himself. In one case, it is alleged when Zanu PF candidate, Andrew Langa, is alleged to have fired a shot at an MDC supporter, Darlington Kadengu, during the campaign period. Siyabonga Mlandu Ncube, the MDC candidate was with Kadengu at the time of the shooting. It is unknown whether the shot that hit Kadengu had been intended for him or not.

The reported presence of CIO officers and youths from the Border Gezi National Service Training Centre observing and monitoring the polls in a breach of the electoral laws, was purported to have had an intimidatory effect on the opposition party supporters. As the Electoral Act Section 14B states, it is only those nominated by and accredited by the Observers’ Accreditation Committee before the actual commencement of the polls, and those who also have proof of an accreditation certificate, who are empowered to observe polls; neither of these groups had been accredited.

There were allegations that the police were selective in application of the law as they reportedly targeted only MDC supporters, turning a blind eye to political violence perpetrated by Zanu PF supporters. In one incident, Siyabonga Malandu Ncube claimed that police officers stopped their MDC convoy while on their way from refueling in Gwanda, searched them, and told them that they were no longer allowed in the area until after the elections. The police also reportedly barred MDC party’s election campaign manager from Insiza, Mr. Charles Mpofu, on allegations of having incited violence. Mr. Paul Themba Nyathi, director for MDC New Developments, claimed that the police had received instructions not to let MDC vehicles into the constituency but to give Zanu PF vehicles unlimited access. As such, these reports of police brutality and victimization would have led MDC supporters to fear to vote for their party.

Retributive attacks on opposition party supporters have been widely reported in the post – election period for the September 2002 Rural District Council elections. Anderson Chingosho, MDC candidate in the Mount Darwin town council elections, was allegedly assaulted and barred from his home area together with his family. In a related incident, Nkanyiso Nkala of Gwanda as well as MDC winning candidate in the rural district and council elections, was reportedly harassed and forced to defect to Zanu PF.

Cases of farm evictions have decreased by 37.5% in comparison to those recorded in the month of September. However, Zana Nance Van Rensburg, the owner of Monderwa Farm, receiving a one - day notice to vacate the premises after having stayed at the farm for thirty - seven years. In another related incident, Zanu PF supporters, led by the war veterans, reportedly approached Noel Buchanan at Ntshonalanga farm at midnight and torched his thatched buildings in order to force him and his workers away.

With people facing hunger in most parts of the country, Zanu PF supporters have reportedly taken advantage of this to sway the electorate to its side as well as punish the would be supporters of the MDC. In Chimanimani, Zanu PF supporters were allegedly caught red handed rewarding voters with allocations of maize, moments after they cast their votes in the just ended September 2002 rural district council elections. It was reportedly established that after the persons in a queue for the illiterate were assisted to vote, they would get a handout of maize from the stock of food.¹ This resulted in even the literate people joining this queue so that they could at least get a bag of maize. On the other hand, one Kamusoko, an MDC supporter and resident of Svosve Communal Lands, was allegedly denied access to food aid on allegations of supporting the "wrong party". Zanu PF offices in Tshabalala, Bulawayo, have reportedly turned into stockists of the hard to find maize meal, but it is claimed that the maize meal is only being sold to Zanu PF cardholders.

Cases of political intimidation decreased by 65% in comparison to those reported in September, while cases of infringement of freedom of expression, assembly and association increased by 78%. Reports indicate that Zanu PF remained the main instigator of politically motivated violence in the month of October, with the opposition party MDC being responsible for only 9.6% of the cases of violence.

Schoolteachers were reportedly attacked on the basis of their being perceived as opposition supporters. Teachers who went on a strike organised by the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) were reportedly dismissed from their posts. In contrast Health Professionals and University Lecturers who went on strike were neither victimised nor dismissed. Other incidents of victimisation of teachers were reported in Gwanda, Beitbridge and Insiza. War veterans reportedly chased away about ten teachers from five schools in Gwanda and three nurses from Umzimumi Clinic for ostensibly supporting the MDC. In Beitbridge, Sithembinkosi Mthombeni, the Head of Msame Primary School, was allegedly forced off the school premises by seven war veterans on allegations of being an MDC sympathiser. Raymond Manjongwe, the Secretary General of the PTUZ, was reportedly arrested and tortured by the police on allegations of mobilising the teachers to engage in an alleged "illegal" strike. This then appears to place a direct link between political intimidation and professionalism in the country.

Totals 1 to 31 October 2002

Cumulative Totals 1 January 2002 - 31 October 2002

Sources: Human Rights Forum legal statements, CFU reports, newspaper reports, Amani Trust medical assessments

Note 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 organisation eg. Political party, ZNLWVA, ZNA

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.

Key Abbreviations
CIO - Central Intelligence Organisation
MDC - Movement for Democratic Change
MP - Member of Parliament
NCA - National Constitutional Assembly
UMP - Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe
ZNLWVA - Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
ZNA - Zimbabwe National Army
ZRP - Zimbabwe Republic Police
Zanu PF - Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front 

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