Armed militia committing robberies with impunity
By Tererai Karimakwenda
June 05, 2008

We received reports that members of the youth militia, recruited by ZANU-PF to intimidate and assault opposition officials and activists in rural areas, are now using the vehicles and weapons they were provided with to commit crimes in the urban areas. Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa reports that crimes such as house robberies and looting have increased in the last 2 weeks. Some of the young thugs were caught wearing police uniforms that they used to gain easy entry into people’s houses. The youths are also reported to be stealing foreign currency and mobile phones from innocent civilians in broad daylight.

Muchemwa spoke to a junior police officer who said that they have been arresting these young criminals who are armed, only to be ordered by their seniors to release them without charge. It is believed that the salaries that the youths were receiving originally have been reduced or cut off altogether. As Muchemwa explained, ZANU-PF has a history of using young poor Zimbabweans, then dumping them with no further rewards. Many are now in desperate need of money and are taking advantage of the lawlessness in the country.

According to our correspondent, these criminals are travelling in twin cabs and other vehicles that are known to be owned by the ruling party. Some of the vehicles were used to transport ZANU-PF candidates and officials during the election campaign period before March 29. The twin cabs were also used by the youths to distribute fliers for ZANU-PF candidates. Since the March elections, several MDC activists have been abducted by war veterans and youth militia using twin cabs.

The situation in Bulawayo has so far been more peaceful than other parts of the country. But our Bulawayo correspondent Zenzele reported that ZANU-PF has recently been recruiting many youths to join the militia. He said several bases have been opened and at least 1000 youths are to be recruited to work for ZANU-PF over the election period. It is feared that criminal acts will intensify as more and more youths find themselves out in the cold, after being dumped by ZANU-PF after the presidential runoff.