8 MDC supporters arrested and assaulted during food disturbances in Rusape

By Violet Gonda
2 February 2007

There were food disturbances in Rusape’s ward 15, Manicaland province resulting in at least 8 MDC members being detained on Friday. More than 1,000 people had gathered at St Teresa Secondary School to collect much needed food. But a teacher, Lawrence Rusinamwana, told us that many people were being discriminated against because they were opposition members. He said police rounded up MDC members during the distribution of maize, even though they had actually paid for it.

This is not the first time that the distribution of maize has caused disturbances in this area. Rusinamwana said just before the New Year the MDC in the province had purchased food on behalf of more than seven hundred people who were in desperate need. This group of people in Ward 15 had contributed money to buy the maize meal. But according to Rusinamwana the ZANU PF councillor refused to approve the necessary documents needed by the GMB.

It was only after the MDC reported the matter to the village headman and the District Administrator that the councillor was forced to sign the documents. But despite having all this, officials still refused to give the opposition supporters any food. It later emerged that local ZANU PF district officials were secretly giving the mealie meal to their own supporters.

On Tuesday a batch of food arrived and was secretly distributed to ZANU PF supporters during the night. This angered villagers who had paid money but got no food, because they were perceived to be opposition members. On Thursday the disgruntled villagers stopped a truck belonging to a ZANU PF businessman and raided the food it was carrying.

More food arrived at St Teresa Friday and there was mayhem as hungry people tried to access it. But ZANU PF district officials allegedly called in the police and started pointing out MDC officials who were at the centre. These targeted officials were arrested by police, and observers claim they were assaulted while in custody.