Assaults and re-education by army not getting support for ZPF

By Tererai Karimakwenda
May 15, 2008

Reports from around the country indicate that the army is at the forefront of the violence against innocent civilians and opposition officials. Not only have army officers been instructed to vote for Robert Mugabe in the runoff election, they are also being used to intimidate the electorate at huge gatherings that they call “re-education” rallies. Each army violence unit has been assigned a group of over 30 youth militia, who are now reported to be uniformed and are being paid for their brutal deeds. But voters around the country say no amount of violence or intimidation will ever make them vote for ZANU-PF.

Farmer and activist Gerry Whitehead has been monitoring incidents in the Chiredzi and Zaka areas. He reported that army officers are gathering huge groups of farm workers in order to conduct these ‘re-education’ rallies. At the gatherings a few chosen individuals known to be opposition supporters or officials, are beaten severely in front of the locals as an example of what could happen to them.
Whitehead said a 31-year old opposition activist in Zaka was recently beaten so badly that he had many broken bones and had to be hospitalised. Others that were beaten at the same rally are living with serious injuries because they cannot afford to pay for transportation or medical treatment.

The outspoken activist also described how there has been no production in the sugar-growing lowveld area. Most of the farm workers are unemployed and have relocated to the nearest towns, or even further. The shops are empty and hunger is widespread.

Whitehead confirmed that thee rallies are not producing the desired effect the ruling party would like and he says the violence is definitely turning people even further away from supporting the ruling party. He said: “I think ZANU-PF has made a serious error. The people are more determined now. You can take our cattle. You can burn our houses, but you can’t take our hearts. We will not vote for you, ever. That is the message I’m getting.”