ZANU-PF militia blocking access to dead MDC activists in Centenary

By Tererai Karimakwenda
May 12, 2008

The number of opposition officials and supporters murdered in the ongoing state-sponsored violence is believed to be much higher because many deaths are going unreported. More proof of this came from the Centenary area of Mashonaland Central on Wednesday, when it was reported that armed ZANU-PF militia are blocking access to the bodies of 2 MDC activists.

Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa has been monitoring developments in the province, and he reported that armed militia attacked a home in Centenary known as Dolphin House. Many MDC polling agents and activists who were living there escaped into the hills. But some were caught and were severely assaulted. Those who made it out reported that 2 women died during the attack and their bodies are still there. Muchemwa said there is no way to get to them or to the victims who are up in the hills.

Muchemwa said the delegation of foreign Ambassadors, including the Ambassadors to the United States and the UK, who were stopped at a roadblock on Tuesday were trying to go to Centenary to evaluate the situation on the ground. As we reported the Ambassadors on this fact finding mission were accompanied by a team of journalists who witnessed the drama at the roadblock. Muchemwa said they were blocked from reaching Centenary because the government does not want anyone to see what happened there.

Meanwhile, there was more drama after the burial of headman Elias Madzivanzira in Shamva on Tuesday. The traditional leader was killed by a gang of armed militia on Saturday when they attacked him and his wife with axes. His wife suffered severe injuries and was not able to attend the funeral.

Our correspondent Muchemwa said the violent youths showed up Tuesday night after the funeral, looking for the headman’s son Kenneth Kahari Madzivanzira. Fortunately he was hiding in another house. Muchemwa said they returned Wednesday afternoon with about 300 youths and Kahari fled to Madziva police station. The militia did not follow him.