OVERVIEW
Zimbabwean citizens’ rights to
assemble and associate freely with other persons and in particular to form or
belong to political parties of their choicethus
continues
to be violated. Throughout July, victimisation of leaders and members of the
opposition party persisted with politically motivated human rights violations
during the month mainly related to campaigns being undertaken in preparation
for the 2005 General Election. Events that occurred in Mvurwi (MAZOWE WEST
constituency) and incidents reported in other parts of the country demonstrated
the absence of a level electoral playing-field within
the country 8 months ahead of the March 2005 election.
Movement for
Democratic Change President, Morgan Tsvangirai; MDC National Chairperson, Isaac
Matongo; MDC Deputy Secretary General, Gift Chimanikire; MDC National Women’s Organising Secretary, Emma Chimanikire; MP for
Chitungwiza, Fidelis Mhashu; MP Mhashu’s
driver, Samuel Mapingure and MDC Vice Chairperson for Mashonaland Central,
Henry Chimbiri Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan
Tsvangirai, Isaac Matongo (National Chairman), Gift Chimanikire (Deputy Secretary
General), Emma Chimanikire (National Women’s Organising Secretary), Fidelis
Mhashu (Chitungwiza MDC MP), Samuel Mapingure (Mhashu’s driver); and Henry
Chimbiri (MDC vice chairman for Mashonaland Central) claim that
about 200 ZANU PF youths wielding sticks, iron bars, stones, bricks,
knobkerries and guns attacked and indiscriminately assaulted them and other
party members at an MDC Mashonaland Central Provincial Assembly Meeting. In
Mvurwi on 2 July 2004, The MDC was
holding a Mashonaland Central provincial assembly meeting. Mhashu’s
driver, Samuel Mapingure was allegedly seriously hurt in the incident. After
the MDC executive from Harare had left the ZANU PF youths are
alleged to have severely beaten up Biggie Chigonera, MDC Chairperson for
Mashonaland Central province, before burning down his house and two vehicles -
a Kombi and a Landcruiser.
Persons were also victimised in
various ways for belonging to or supporting the MDC. GC attended the MDC
Mashonaland Central Provincial Assembly meeting at Mvurwi Centre on 2 July 2004
and returned home to Guruve after the meeting. He claims that he was chased
away from his home in Guruve by ZANU PF youths for having attended the meeting
and has since fled to Harare. MM was allegedly assaulted by 3 ZANU PF youths in
Hwedza (MASHONALAND EAST province) because she did not have a ZANU PF
membership card. She was reportedly abducted and taken to a ZANU PF base in the
area where she was further assaulted on allegations of supporting the MDC. In
Guruve North (MASHONALAND CENTRAL province) ME purports that two truckloads of
ZANU PF youths arrived at an undisclosed venue where she and other MDC members
were having a meeting in preparation for the 2005 Parliamentary elections. The
ZANU PF youths started chanting slogans singing revolutionary songs and threw
stones at the victim and other MDC members attending the meeting. Two teargas
canisters were allegedly fired into their midst. The victim reportedly fell
trying to escape and sprained her right ankle.
Theresa Makone, the
aspiring MDC candidate for Hwedza constituency (MASHONALAND EAST province) for
the 2005 Parliamentary elections,i
was arrested and charged under POSA together with Francis
Chikadaya, and Ewet Mukova, the NCA’s former regional
deputy chairperson for Mashonaland Eastand Francis
Chikadaya, chairperson for Hwedza. It is alleged that the three
organised and went on to hold a public meeting at Sanganai Business Centre in
Hwedza without notifying the police as required under S24 (1) of POSA.
The state alleges that Makoni promised the gathering of over 100 people that
she and not the ZANU PF government was going to source food for them if there
was any need to do so. Makoni reportedly denied the allegations, stating that
she only attended the meeting because she had been invited by the NCA
leadership. She also denied ever campaigning or delivering any speech at the
meeting.
AGM, a teacher at Nyambiri
School, Seke Constituency (MASHONALAND EAST province) was reportedly assaulted
by ZANU PF supporters led by the ZANU PF District Chairman. He was also
allegedly threatened with death and accused of supporting the MDC. The ZANU PF
District Chairman reportedly assaulted AGM in the stomach and told him that he
was no longer welcome in the area. The beatings allegedly lasted for
approximately 30 minutes during which time the victim lost consciousness. AGM
has since fled the area out of fear.
The Human Rights Forum condemns
violence perpetrated against teachers in rural communities, particularly ahead
of the March 2005 Parliamentary Election. Such incidents have been documented
in isolation and with increasingly frequency in association with election
campaigns.
Teachers have subsequently fled from their
schools seeking refuge in urban centres.
.
Totals: 1 July 2004 – 31 July 2004
Cumulative Totals: 1 January 2004 – 31 July 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), National
Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Solidarity Peace Trust (SPT), Women of
Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), Zimbabwe Community Development Trust (ZCDT), Zimbabwe
Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN).Justice for Agriculture (JAG), Combined Harare
Residents Association (CHRA), Zimbabwe Community Development Trust (ZCDT),
Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN).
N
ONotestes 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:
Abduction/kidnapping:
Disappearance:
Property related
Key Abbreviations
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 Monthly Political Violence Report cannot
therefore be considered
as the exhaustive record of all incidents of politically-motivated violence in
Zimbabwe in the period under review. Nevertheless, every incident reported to
the Human Rights Forum directly or through its members is meticulously
documented and included
in the reports.
The situation
prevailing in the country is such that it has not been possible to verify all
of these accounts. The Human Rights Forum has done what it can to verify the
reports, and is satisfied that the vast majority of them are substantially true.
It is also not possible to rule out whether a victim’s account is exaggerated
or contains inaccuracies.
All reports
derived from the press are denoted with the symbol ∑.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 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
∑.
Harare
Chitungwiza
27 July 2004
·
LZ claims that he was assaulted by a group of 4 Zanu PF
youths on his way home from attending the funeral of the late MDC MP for Seke,
Bennie Tumbare-Mutasa. He claims the youths approached him at the bus stop
where he was waiting for transport to go to Sunningdale and accused him of
having campaigned for the MDC during the Zengeza by-election in March 2004.
They reportedly kicked and assaulted him all over his body and only stopped
beating him when two policemen approached them. The ZANU PF youths reportedly
told the policemen that the victim was a thief that they had apprehended. LZ
was subsequently arrested and taken to Makoni Police Station where he was
detained for 6 days during which he was allegedly denied food. LZ claims that
he only ate on the fifth day after a cellmate offered him some food. He was
reportedly only released after 6 days in custody without any charges being
preferred against him.
Glen Norah
18 July 2004
·
CIIC
claims that he was assaulted on his way home from work by four unidentified
youths who accused him of being an MDC supporter. He alleges that one youth
picked up a log and hit him on the left shoulder because he had denied the
allegations linking him to the MDC. The victimIC
reportedly tripped and fell whilst tryingwhile
attempting to run away from the youths. The assailants caught up with the
victim and further assaulted him whilst he was lyinglay on
the ground. One of the assailants stabbed the victim on the thigh. IC sustained
a 5 cm deep cut on his right thigh. The assailants only left him when
people started approaching the scene of the incident.
23 July 2004
·
CS SC, who is an active MDC supporter,
purports that he was approached by two uniformed police officers and others police
officers in
civilian clothing at around 19:00 hours when he was on his way home.
The
officers were in a ZRP Mazda B2200 truck. Two of the officers reportedly
attempted to force SC into the truck upon which SC attempted to run away. The police
officers went after SC and allegedly
beat him with open palms when they caught him. They also reportedly stepped
on his chest when he fell down. SC was then forced into the truck and taken to
Glen Norah Police Station where he was released upon arrival without any
charges having been preferred against him. SC alleges
that two of the officers that beat him are ZANU PF
supporters. a police vehicle at around 1900hrs whilst he was
walking home. The victim was reportedly to stop by two uniformed officers who
were in the car. One policeman who was in civilian clothing allegedly tried to
force the victim into the police car whilst assaulting him with open palms and
stepping all over his chest. After the assault, the victim was reportedly
forced into the police car wherein he was taken to Glen Norah Police station.
He was released without being charged at the police station.
30 July 2004
·
MS SM alleges
that she was assaulted whilst on
her way to the shops by 4 ZANU PF supporters at around 6PM 18:00 hours because
she was wearing an MDC T-shirt. The four assailants allegedly asked her where she got the
T-Shirt and who had given her permission to wear it. She was reportedly slapped
in the face and the assailants twisted her arm and dislocated it. The four men
reportedly tore the shirt and only left her when she started screaming for help
from passers- by.
Harare Central
31 July 2004
·
∑According to William Bango, Spokesperson for the
MDC, police officers from the ZRP Law and Order Maintenance Section, reportedly
raided the home of Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC President, in search for arms of war.
The officers accused Tsvangirai of hiding guns that had been used in previous
clashes between MDC and ZANU PF supporters. The search did not yield any
weapons.
Zengeza
July 2004
·
KN NK alleges
that she was evicted by her landlord on suspicion that she supports the opposition MDC. She alleges
that Herher landlord
hasrefused her rentalsto accept her
rent at the beginning of the month and that since
the beginning ofthe monthJuly, she has been sleeping in the open.
Mashonaland Central
Guruve North
7 July 2004
·
EM alleges that two truckloads of ZANU PF youths
arrived at the venue where she and other MDC members were having a planning
meeting for the March 2005
Parliamentary Elections. The ZANU PF youths, who were chanting slogans and
singing revolutionary songs, reportedly threw stones at the victim and her
colleagues. Two teargas canisters were also reportedly fired into their midst.
The victim fell while trying to escape and sprained her right ankle.
Guruve North/ South
2 July 2004
·
GC attended the MDC Mashonaland Central Provincial
Assembly meeting at Mvurwi Centre. He returned home to Guruve after the
meeting. He claims that he was chased away from his home in Guruve by ZANU PF
youths for having attended the meeting. He has since fled to Harare out of
fear.
Mazowe West
2 July 2004
·
∑Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) leader President, Morgan
Tsvangirai;, MDC National
Chairperson, Isaac Matongo;National
Chairman, MDC Deputy
Secretary General, Gift Chimanikire; Deputy Secretary General,MDC National
Women’s Organising Secretary, Emma Chimanikire; National Women’s Organising Secretary;
MDC MP
for Chitungwiza, Fidelis Mhashu; MP Mhashu’s driver, Samuel Mapingure (Mhashu’s
driver); and MDC Vice Chairperson for Mashonaland Central, Henry
Chimbiri (MDC vice
chairman for Mashonaland Central)claim
that approximately 200 ZANU PF youths in a convoy of six vehicles arrived at the venue of
their Mashonaland Central Provincial Assembly meeting
and disrupted the meeting. The youths, wielding sticks, iron bars, stones,
bricks, knobkerries and guns, allegedly attacked and indiscriminately assaulted
them and other MDC party officials and supporters at Mvurwi Centre whilst who were attending
the MDC Mashonaland Central Provincial Assembly meeting. Mhashu’s driver,
Samuel Mapingure, reportedly sustained serious hurt injuries in the
incidentattack.
·
∑Following the
departure of the MDC executive delegation from Harare
from Mvurwi Centre, the group of ZANU PF
youths, that had attacked persons attending the MDC
Mashonaland Central Provincial Assembly earlier allegedly regrouped and
severely assaulted Biggie
Chigonera, MDC Chairperson for Mashonaland Central province. They also
reportedly burnt down his house and two vehicles - a Kombi and a
Landcruiser.
·
CA AC attended
an MDC Mashonaland Central Provincial Assembly
meeting MDC meeting with MDC officials at
Mvurwi Centre in a certain Mr. Chigonero’s workshop at
around 12:00 hours. The meeting’s main agenda was supposedly to audit
MDC structures in that area. She claims that they had been given
police clearance and were surprised when they heard ZANU PF youths singing
revolutionary songs and chanting slogans outside their venue. The youths
reportedly threw stones and teargas at the victim and her colleagues. She
claims that everyone in the meeting started to run away but the youths managed
to catch the
victim and some of the victim’sher
colleagues. She was allegedly hit on the right buttocks with
a stick and she fell down. The victim
was only rescued by passers who hid her in a house near the scene of the
incident. The victim claims that Mr Chigonero and his wife were interrogated by
the police about the sort of weapons used by the MDC youths to guard Morgan
Tsvangirai.
·
·
BM attended
the MDC Mashonaland Central Provincial Assembly at
Mvurwi Centre. He claims that ZANU PF supporters arrived at the venue
of the meeting in T-35 trucks singing and proceeded to throw stones
at the MDC supporters. BM alleges that the MDC supporters fought back by
throwing stones and the ZANU PF supporters fled. BM claims that he was hit with
a stone on his right knee as he tried to escape.
Mashonaland East
Hwedza
21 July 2004
·
MM alleges that 3 ZANU PF youths
came to her house after supperin the
evening and ordered her to show them her ZANU PF membership card. The
victim told them she did not have the a membership card.
The alleged ZANU PF youths reportedly accused
her of supporting the MDC. and
proceeded to search her house for MDC regalia but found none. They searched for MDC regalia in her house and
found none. The youths then allegedly took her MM to
their base
where they, handed her
over to their colleagues. At the base MM was reportedly assaulted her all over the body with baton
sticks, and kicked her
with booted feet on her back and chest until a certain Mabika told the youths that it was
enough and that they should stop..
·
∑ Theresa Makone,i Theresa the
aspiring MDC
candidatefor
Hwedza constituency, is being charged under POSAunder
POSA together with Francis
Chikadaya and former NCA Regional Deputy Chairperson
for Mashonaland East, Ewet Mukova for holding an illegal meeting and Francis
Chikadaya, chairperson
for Hwedza. It is alleged that the 3 organised and went on to hold
a public meeting at Sanganai Business Centre in Hwedza without notifying the
police as required under S 24(1) of POSA. The state alleges that
Makoni promised the gathering of over 100 people that she was going to source
food for them and not the ZANU PF government. Makoni denies the allegation of
having organised the meeting and claims that she only attended the meeting
after an invitation from the Chikadya and Mukowa. She further denies
campaigning or delivering any speech at the meeting.
July 2004
·
∑The MDC alleges that ZANU PF members have been
blocking their attempts to hold rallies in rural constituencies. MDC President,
Morgan Tsvangirai alleges that was allegedly
told that ZANU PFwhen they
attempted to hold a meeting in Hwedza they were informed that ZANU PF
had booked the entire shopping centre where they wanted to hold their meeting and that
consequently they could not hold their meeting anywhere in the area.
Marondera East
July 2004
·
DZ alleges that she washed her MDC t-shirt and hung it
on the clothes line. When some ZANU PF supporters that were passing by saw the
t-shirt they reportedly approached her and interrogated her with about it. They
are also alleged to have threatened her with assault. DZ has since fled the
area and relocated to Harare out of fear.
Seke
27 July 2004
·
AGM, a teacher at Nyambiri School, MASclaims that he heard a knock on his
door at around 10:00pm and when he attended to it one Kudzai Mhukayesango
reportedly identified himself and ordered the victim to come outside. Mhukayesango
reportedly told AGM that the District Chairman for ZANU PF wanted to see him,
however, AGM refused to open the door. Heavy knocking reportedly persisted upon
which AGM told Mhukayesango that he would open the door only if the headmaster
or one of the other teachers at Nyambiri School, where he resides and works,
was there to witness the event. The assailants went to fetch the headmaster and
reportedly returned after about 20 minutes with the headmaster and a police
officer. The victim opened the door and was grabbed by the neck, threatened
with death and accused of supporting the MDC. The ZANU PF District Chairman
reportedly punched and kicked AGMMAS
in the stomach and told him that he was no longer welcome in the area. The
victim was reportedly told to choose between the MDC and Enias Chigwedere,
Minister of Education, Sports and Culture and ZANU PF MP for Hwedza. The
beatings allegedly lasted for approximately 30 minutes during which time the
victim lost consciousness. When the victim regained consciousness he was in his
living room and there were three men guarding his house. They reportedly
advised the victim to escape and AGM followed their advise. He, however
returned later but was denied entry into his house by the police who advised
him to escape and denied him entry into his home. The victim reported the
matter to police officers at Beatrice Police Station who escorted him to his
home where he managed to recover his clothes. He has since fled the area out of
fear.
Mashonaland
West
Kadoma West
25 July 2004
·
∑ZANU PF youths reportedly visited several farms
in Midlands’ the Patchway
Mine area (Midlands
Province) including Odowf, Bineth, Dixie, Tinashe and Grandon farms,
forcing farm workers and those who benefited from the land
redistribution exercise to join ZANU PF or risk
losing their right to vote in the March 2005 Parliamentary Elections. in preparation for the 2005 general elections
It is also alleged that only gold panners who show allegiance to ZANU PF
are allowed to go about their business following a visit by the ZANU PFthe youths visited a small mining area, popularly known as to KwaJames,
a
small-scale mining area where illegal gold panners live. . Only gold
panners who show allegiance to the ruling
party are reportedly allowed to go about their business. Apart from that, Rresidents in the area have
also reportedly been
forced to attend political ZANU PF meetings,
particularly on Sundays. ZANU PF
youths have allegedly set up 22 branches in the area between Kadoma town and
Patchway Mine where they have been telling farm workers that if they do not
join ZANU PF structures they will not vote in the 2005 general elections.
Masvingo
Bikita West and EastEast and West
July 2004
·
∑The MDC alleges that the ZRP have been
blocking their attempts to hold rallies in rural constituencies. Morgan
Tsvangirai, MDC leader President, alleges
that the
party was unable to hold meetings in Bikita East and West. When the MDC applied
for permission to hold meetings in these two
constituencies they were reportedly informed that several
attempts by the MDC for permission to hold meetings have failed. He notes that
in both Bikita West and East, the MDC applied to the police but were told that there
was no police officer to authorisze
any of their
meetings.
Chiredzi North
1 July 2004
·
∑EH, owner of Mkwasine Farm, alleges that on 30
June 2004 three persons purporting to be “new
A2 farmers” arrived at his farm in a blue Nissan truck - registration
number 692-572-S accompanied by ZRP Constables Simba Chipanga and Rubwaya to
tell him to move off the farm. EH identified one of the A2 farmers as Phinias
Mutiziri. The farmers reportedly produced what looked like Offer Letters, but
refused to show them to EH so that he could see the details or who had signed
them. The A2 farmers hung around his farm house and then after about 30 minutes
departed and stole the chain and lock off the main two gates to the shed, as
well as the one leading to the main orange orchard, in the process. EH reported
the matter to Constable Sibanda at ZRP Mkwasine - RB No. 0305565. At 15:30
hours, Mutiziri and his colleagues all armed with iron bars, chased all the
workers away from the packing shed, effectively bringing the packing shed to a
halt This was reportedly done in front of the two policemen Constables Chipanga
and Rubwaya who did nothing to stop the invaders intimidating the farm workers
or EH. EH reported the case to ZRP Chiredzi - RB No. 0305566.
On 1 July 2004 EH alleges that he was called to Chiredzi ZRP
station at about 10:00hours to make a statement on the previous day's
proceedings. Whilst there, EH laid a charge (recorded by Constable Goriyati -
RRB 0305569) on the invaders for turning away the trucks that had come to fetch
his oranges meant for export. (Pioneer transport 792-900X, Bindura transport
589-406X and Biltrans 743-255K).
On 2 July 2004 EH’s lawyer obtained a Prohibitory Interdict
as well as a Mandatory Interdict to be served on the ZRP both in Chiredzi and
Mkwasine from the Chiredzi Magistrates Court. At around 18: 00hrs on 3 July
2004, about 20 youths who were with the A2 farmers, reportedly arrived at EH's
farm singing and shouting. The lights suddenly went out as the invaders had
turned off the power at the main electricity switchboard. The invaders
allegedly banged doors whilst holding BI (EH's farmer supervisor) as a hostage.
EH radioed the police who arrived at about 20:00 hours led by Inspector Munapo,
to defuse the situation. During the heated conversation that took place,
Mutiriza once again openly threatened EH that if he moved into the citrus shed,
it would have serious consequences for him. Munapo allegedly did nothing to
reprimand Mutiriza. The invaders then departed from the house singing and
headed towards the packing shed. They reportedly loaded an unknown quantity of
orange pockets into the back of the Nissan truck in which the A2 farmers
arrived (Reg. No. 696-572S), and drove off to EH's farm house. Shortly
afterwards, the bulk of the invaders reportedly returned to the packing shed
and held a loud party, shouting and singing party songs amidst much banging of
something in the packing shed.
EH alleges that on 4 July 2004 the invaders sang, shouted and
banged on doors and windows at his farm house. Someone threw a rock through the
office roof causing damage, which was only discovered the next day when it
started raining. This started at about 07:30hours and ended around 09:00hours.
Another truck arrived to load the export oranges and was turned away by the
mob. EH's lawyer reportedly explained to Inspector Munapo that even if an individual
has got an Offer Letter, he still needs an Eviction Order from the High Court.
EH notes that he called Deputy Commissioner Mataga at Chiredzi Police
Headquarters who advised him to contact the Lands O fficer to find out the
names and other details of the new A2 farmers who had invaded his farm.
On 6 July 2004 Superintendent Mandisha from Chiredzi arrived
at EH's farm around 09:00hours and ordered the youths off the farm. He
reportedly told EH to go ahead with farming until further notice. However on 7
July 2004 around 17:30hours, the ZANU PF youths reportedly threw out EH's farm
workers from their compound. The ordeal finally ended on 8 July 2004 when EH
reportedly called Constable Rubwaya and Superintendent Inspector Dondo of ZRP
Chiredzi who managed to send off the invaders. The police reportedly warned the
youths that it was against the law and that they would be punished if they went
back to the farm.
Masvingo Central
3 July 2004
·
∑Seven people
were arrested after they invaded, together with 43 others, a Acton Ffarm,
belonging to Chief Fortune Charumbira, the Deputy Minister of Local Government,
Public Works and National Housing, was reportedly invaded by 50 villagers.. The 50 Villagers allegedly invaded
Acton Farm near Bhuka Business Centre in an allegeda bid
to allocate themselves stands. Police
Spokesperson Inspector Nyabadza confirmed that sSeven
people,
identified as having led the invasion, were
reportedly arrested and who were identified as the ring leaders were
arrested and were to be charged under POSA under POSA for ‘the unlawful seizure of the farm and the disturbances caused there’.
The
prosecutor, Mr Dan Ndebele, The Masvingo Magistrates’ Court reportedly refused declined to
prosecute the seven until the prosecutors received clarification from the Chief
Lands Officer, Mr Aube Musanhu, on the ownership of the property. The accused invaders claimed that they invaded the
farm because
it had had no
owner. hence the invasion.
At the beginning of July, three people who
identified themselves as ‘A2 farmers’ arrived at Eric Harrison’s Mkwasine citrus farm
accompanied by two policemen and told him that they were the new owners of the
property. The intruders reportedly left shortly afterwards but returned armed
with iron bars and chased all the workers from the shed where the oranges are graded and packed. The alleged ZANU PF militias who
are camped at the farm are reportedly operating on the orders of two suspected
Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives and a policeman based in
Harare. The militias have allegedly been looting oranges
worth about $US 1 million destined for export and have also been
turning away haulage trucks coming to collect the fruit. The Harrissons allege
that the invaders who are sometimes accompanied by police officers during the
day, every night bang at their doors, singing and
shouting obscenities at the family. The invaders allegedly gave the family
until Sunday 11 July to move out of the farm or risk being physically evicted.
The family has been granted an interdict to stop the intruders from disturbing
operations at the farm and the police had assured the family that no one was
going to set foot on the farm. However,
the invaders will not move from the farm.
Manicaland
Chipinge
3 July 2004
·
MT TM, who reportedly is is 6
months pregnant, was reportedly assaulted by three 3 ZANU
PF supporters, who had coame
looking for her husband. The assailants allegedly assaulted her with open hands and
kicked her with booted feet all over her body after they
failed to find her husband.
·
·
·
Full alphabetical list of reported deaths related to
political violence 1 January to 31 May July 2004
recorded indicating name, political affiliation, date of death, constituency
and province.
TOTAL:
3 MDC – 2; UNKNOWN - 1
|
SURNAME
|
FIRST NAME (S)
|
POLITICAL AFFILIATION
|
DATE OF DEATH
|
CONSTITUENCY
|
PROVINCE
|
|
1
ChAmbarara
|
Shemi
|
UNKNOWN
|
8
FEBRUARY 2004
|
CHIMANIMANI
|
MANICALAND
|
|
2
Chigega
|
Alexander
|
MDC
|
4
JANUARY 2004
|
Shamva
|
MASHONALAND CENTRAL
|
|
3
Chinozvina
|
francis
|
mdc
|
28 March
2004
|
ZENGEZA
|
HARARE
|
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 Legal
Resources Foundation (formerly the Legal Unit of the ZHRF.)
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)
·
Media
Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ)
·
Nonviolent
Action and Strategies for Social Change (NOVASC)
·
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)
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: 8th Floor Bluebridge North,
Eastgate, Harare; Telephone: 250511 - Fax: 250494
The International Liaison Office, Development House, 56- 64
Leonard Street London EC2A 4JX33 Islington
High Street, London N1 9LH – email: IntLO@hrforumzim.com
Telephone: +44-(0)20-7065 0945
Website: www.hrforumzim.com
Previous reports of the Human Rights Forum can be found on our website.